Flautist Gerald Beckett has recorded another fine addition to his growing catalogue as a leader. His fifth release, The Messenger, on Summit Records, features his working quintet burning through hard bop pieces by Lee Morgan, "Aniticlimax", and Bud Powell's "Tempus Fugit". He leads the group on quieter works such as the Duke Pearson line" Idle Moments" and Beckett's own "Sunset Place", co-written with Eugene Pilner. There is also a nice Latin tune on the program titled "Lupe's Ride", written by Sharman Duran, the daughter of guitarist Eddie Duran.
Beckett is a native of Beaumont, Texas and originally learned saxophone but eventually switched to flute feeling more in tune with the instrument as a player.The liner notes of The Messenger point out that he was inspired by Hubert Laws and David "Fathead" Newman. He relocated to San Francisco in the mid 1980's.
Beckett and his group show their musical versatility throughout on this new project and this release is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer.
Lineup: Gerald Beckett: flute, bass flute, alto flute and piccolo ; Steve Heckman: tenor saxophone ; Gary Zellerbach: guitar; Steve McQuarry: piano; Ollie Dudeck: bass; Greg German: drums; Bill Keaney: percussion
For more information: www.summitrecords.com