Suzanne Pittson
Out Of The Hub: The Music Of Freddie Hubbard
Vineland Records
www.suzanneptiison.com
By George W. Harris

This is the kind of record I like: take a songbook (in this case, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s) and do it with a completely different instrument, in this case with the soothing voice of Suzanne Pittson. Oh, sure, she allows some room for Jeremy Pelt’s trumpet (good call!), as well as Steve Wilson’s saxes, but for the most part she just lets it ride with the rhythm team of Jeff Pittson/p, John Patitucci/b and Willi Jones III/dr for literally lyrical takes of “Byrd Like,” “Lament For Booker” (done in vocalese) and “Up Jumped Spring.” The two horns provide excellent framework on an exciting “Gibraltar” and assertive “Crisis” with Pittson executing the tricky course with grace and clarity. A fitting tribute to not only the great late trumpeter, but to the art of singing.