Grace Kelly/Phil Woods
Man With The Hat
Grace Kelly Music
www.gracekellymusic.com

Jake Fryer/Bud Shank Quintet
In Good Company
Capri Records
www.caprirecords.com
By George W. Harris

Here are a couple of discs that mix the enthusiastic alto playing of youth with the venerable wisdom of protoboppers. What do you call guys like Woods and the late Bud Shank? “Alto kockers”? On their last (and last) releases, they sound like the wisdom of the ages with their respective protoges.
Too young to order a drink at most of the venues that she performs, alto saxist Grace Kelly has put out a handful of impressive releases. This one is her second “summit” (the first being a dandy with Lee Konitz”), this time with the indefatigable Phil Woods, who still swings with the verve of Charlie Parker, yet toned with the mellow age of a fine wine. Together, they snap and sizzle to originals like “Love Song from Brazilian Suite” as well of the title track, with Kelly’s gentle sound a perfect complement to the master. Her own duet with bassist Evan Gregor on “Every Time We Say Goodbye” is as well fitting as her evening gown, while her take of “The Way You Look Tonight” with the team of Gregor,. Monty Alexander/p and Bill Goodwin/dr floats like a spring leaf. She’s added vocals to her repertoire, sounding quite contemporary on “People Time” and her own “Gone,” adding a more contemporary R&Bish feel to the disc. Either way, she’s setting the tone for future artists, and should not be missed when she comes to town.

Altoist Jake Fryer was in the studio for what is purportedly Bud Shank’s last release, except for the Bakery Gig release just put out as well. Teamed with the all star team of Mike Wofford/p, Bob Magnusson and the lithe Jo La Barbera/dr, the alto duo mixes originals like “Bopping With Bud” with crooning standards such as “Speak Low” and “Almost Like Being In Love.” Everyone gets a chance to stretch out, but not too much, as Fryer and Shank mix their sweet and sour sauces on “Caravan” and the title track. Fryer’s got a lovely sound, and all you can say about Shank, as the liner notes say, is that he left it all on the court up to the very end. A great coda to a fulfilling career. Check this out for the best of the old and new