Artist: George Russell
Year: 1959
Genre: Modal Jazz
Grade: A-
George Russell’s second studio album, New York, N.Y., is a free-flowing modern jazz symposium. Although the individual songs are somewhat lengthy, they combine to form a cohesive suite that touches on the NYC jazz experience. Solo improv is combined with spoken word à la Charles Mingus’ “Scenes in the City.” While New York, N.Y. isn’t one of Russell’s most inventive recordings, it’s still a worthy addition to his adventurous catalogue.
New York, N.Y. – George Russell