| The Battle: Live at Smoke | ||||
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| Live album by | ||||
| Released | August 16, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | April 1–2, 2005 | |||
| Venue | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, NYC | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 1:00:30 | |||
| Label | HighNote HCD 7137 | |||
| Producer | Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander | |||
| Vincent Herring chronology | ||||
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| Eric Alexander chronology | ||||
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The Battle: Live at Smoke is an album by saxophonists Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander which was recorded in 2005 and released on the Highnote label. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| All About Jazz | [3] |
AllMusic reviewed the album stating "Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring pair up for two nights of fireworks at Smoke ... unlike the various two-tenor battles that have appeared on numerous releases over the decades, the contrast provided by featuring two different reeds is easier on one's ears". [2] JazzTimes said "For listeners familiar with classic recorded saxophone battles of the past-Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, “Lockjaw” Davis and Johnny Griffin-this one is of equal stature, with more modern harmonies on display". [4] On All About Jazz Alain Londes noted "Eric Alexander is one of the most hardworking and serious young tenor saxophone players out there ... This recording, taped live at Smoke in New York, finds him joined by the equally talented Vincent Herring on alto sax ... Since Alexander and Herring play different instruments, the final exchanges between the two demonstrate their ability to feed off, rather than upstage each other. In that sense these two musicians are not engaged in an actual battle, but rather a motivational exercise that puts them both at the top of their game". [3]
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭, smaller than the B♭ tenor but larger than the B♭ soprano. It is the most common saxophone and is used in popular music, concert bands, chamber music, solo repertoire, military bands, marching bands, pep bands, carnatic music, and jazz.
Sonny Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording more than 100 albums. He was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf" by jazz critic Dan Morgenstern because of his tendency to rarely work with the same musicians for long despite his relentless touring and devotion to the craft. Stitt was sometimes viewed as a Charlie Parker mimic, especially earlier in his career, but gradually came to develop his own sound and style, particularly when performing on tenor saxophone and even occasionally baritone saxophone.
Eric Alexander is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. Having placed second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition behind Joshua Redman and ahead of Chris Potter and Tim Warfield, he was soon signed by a record label and has since recorded over 20 albums as a leader and over 300 as a sideman.
Vincent Dwyne Herring is an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer, and educator. Known for his fiery and soulful playing in the bands of Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, and Nat Adderley in the earlier stages of his career, he now frequently performs around the world with his own groups and is heavily involved in jazz education.
Sonny Side Up is an album by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and the tenor saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins, recorded in December 1957 in New York City. It was released in 1959 on producer Norman Granz's newly launched Verve label.
Boss Tenors in Orbit! is a 1962 studio album by American jazz tenor saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons.
Dig Him! is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1961 and originally released on the Argo label in 1961. The album was rereleased as We'll Be Together Again on the Prestige label in 1968.
Boss Tenors is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in Chicago in 1961 and originally released on the Verve label.
You Talk That Talk! is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.
God Bless Jug and Sonny is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in Baltimore in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 2001.
Left Bank Encores is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in Baltimore in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 2002. The album was recorded at the same concert that produced God Bless Jug and Sonny.
Together Again for the Last Time is an album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 1976. The album was the final recording by the pair, who had a long history of collaboration, prior to the death of Ammons in 1974.
Kaleidoscope is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt compiling tracks recorded in 1950-52 and released on the Prestige label in 1957. The 1991 CD reissue added four bonus tracks to the original LP.
Gene Ammons and Friends at Montreux is a live album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and released on the Prestige label.
Stitt's Bits is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt compiling tracks recorded in 1950 and released on the Prestige label in 1958.
I Keep Comin' Back! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's second album featuring the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Night Letter is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label. The album features Stitt using the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
All Star Sessions is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded between 1950 and 1955 and released on the Prestige label.
My Buddy: Sonny Stitt Plays for Gene Ammons is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring selections associated with his fellow musician Gene Ammons recorded in 1975 and released on the Muse label in 1976.
Friendly Fire: Live at Smoke is an album by saxophonists Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander which was recorded in 2011 and released the following year on the Highnote label.