Tales of Hofmann
Azica/AJD-722023
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- Holly Hofmann - flute
- Bobby Shew - trumpet
- Bill Cunliffe - piano
- Bob Magnusson - bass
- Victor Lewis- drums
Preview a song in it's entirety!
Click the highlighted track to play the music.
- Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
- Canto de Brazil
- Red Snapper
- Afterthought
- Green Dolphin Street
- Truer Blues In Memory of Art Pepper
- And Now You
- Bone-Crusher
- Little Dancer
Review
T. Michael Crowell, The San Diego Union-Tribune
S
an Diego flutist Holly
Hofmann has released a
fine new album, one of beauty
and elegance, but not lacking in
improvisational toughness and
edge. "Tales of Hofmann"
gives Hofmann an opportunity
to show her chops on nine
tunes.
The music here is from the chamber jazz school, filled with classical phrases and intonation. The entire album has a softness about it, but never fails to delight in the way Hofmann builds her improvisations around an excellent rhythm section, with an added pleasure of Bobby Shew on trumpet. Pianist Bill Cunliffe and bassist Bob Magnusson turn in top performances but pay special attention to the sensitive and sympathetic drum work of Victor Lewis behind it all.
Hofmann plays it cool on the opening “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" with its classical roots, and picks up steam on Cunliffe's Latin-flavored "Canto de Brazil." Next up is Shew's bouncy "Red Snapper," and the entire quintet gels, with Shew's full, round tone and Cunliffe's Monkish playing out front. Magnusson takes a nice turn on bass, and Lewis is constantly keeping the pace moving. But there's no doubt who's leading the session. Hofmann is terrific throughout. Her solos are fresh and attentive, colored by the pastels of the classical idiom that's the foundation of her playing. This fine album is an "easy" listen, but one that's never boring or bland.
