TODD HERBERT

CAPTAIN HUBS

TH Productions

Todd Herbert, tenor saxophone; David Hazeltine, piano; John Weber, bass; Louis Hayes, drums.

Todd Herbert turns back the hands of time for me with his post-bop album of exciting new music.  He and his stellar musical ensemble open with the title tune that Herbert has penned.  As a composer, Herbert offers us five original tunes out of the ten songs on this album. This opening tune was written for the late, great Freddie Hubbard: “Captain Hubs.”

“One day I got a call from Freddie.  He asked if I would write him a tune and that’s what I wrote,” Todd Herbert explains in his one-sheet press package.

Herbert was part of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s quintet for two years.

This tenor saxophone player has been active on the jazz scene for the past twenty-five years.  Originally from Evanston, Illinois, he began his woodwind excursion when he was ten years young and picked up the alto saxophone to play. Later, Herbert developed his love of the tenor sax. He studied at the University of Miami. Then tasted the excitement of sharing jazz music with world cultures while touring internationally with jazz organist, Charles Earland’s quartet.

Track #2 is another Herbert original composition called “Prophet’s Oracle.” It too ‘swings,’ stinging the air with tenor beauty and Herbert’s fluid improvisation. The tune proffers a strong melodic idea, somewhat somber, but very beautiful.

The great drummer, Louis Hayes composed the next tune titled “Lou’s Idea.”  Hayes is a 2023 NEA Jazz Master.  David Hazeltine is a magnificent jazz pianist and accompanist, who steps strongly into the spotlight with his impressive piano solo. Next comes bassist, John Weber, who adds his own creative and melodic solo to the mix.

This quartet is burning hot with energy and excellence.  Todd Herbert is used to playing with the crème de la crème of the jazz world. In 1997 he moved to New York City where he began working with drummer Jimmy Cobb’s Legacy Band.  In more recent years, the talented tenor player has been leading his own groups. Some of his earlier CDs as a leader include “The Path to Infinity,”  “The Tree of Life” and “May Waltz.”

Todd Herbert plays my kind of jazz, with a Straight-ahead, take-no-prisoners attitude.  His trio is as stellar as he is, so any listener is in for an absolute musical treat.  Every tune on this recording will entertain and inspire you.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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