Tuba Project: Review of Bob Stewart's Latest CD

[Steve Marcus]

from allaboutjazz.com:

Tuba Project
Lucian Ban & Alex Harding | CIMP Records (2006)

By Derek Taylor

[quote]Several years have elapsed since Lucian Ban and Alex Harding's last CIMP collaboration, but their artistic rapport has only deepened in the interim. Their latest project carries a signifier that stresses the novelty of the instrumentation. The duo dispenses with string bass completely. In its stead, Bob Stewarts’ bulbous, bell-shaped horn sits as co-resident of the bottom end, right alongside Harding’s heavyweight sax. Stewart slides naturally into the brass bass role standard to early-20th Century street bands, but also steps into the foreground with an advanced technique well suited to soloing when the occasion arises.

Harding comes from the harder-hitting side of the baritone bullpen. His big, blustery sound and attack spins off precedents set by Pepper Adams and Pat Patrick, and in some ways it echoes his contemporary James Carter—in terms of sheer muscle and might, and a penchant for blues and gospel. Allen, a Harding protégé, brings a more measured element on tenor and contrasts effectively with the co-leader as cool to his hot. With his supple and unassumingly emotive phrasing, Allen reminds me a bit of Jim Pepper, especially on the gorgeous ballad-bred harmonies of “Hymn.â€