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8-Panel Digipak Album
“Although Hayes has made many albums over the years as a leader, this one securely holds a place as one of his best. The live setting inspires his musical muse, and his drums have never sounded better.”
— C. Andrew Hovan, All About Jazz, 11 July 2014
“This version of the group could evolve into a band as vital as the vintage edition.”
— Ron Wynn, JazzTimes, 25 April 2019 (updated)
#1 JazzWeek radio chart (for 2 weeks in June & July 2015)
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Louis Hayes’ new edition of his band The Jazz Communicators with RETURN OF THE JAZZ COMMUNICATORS. Hayes provided the rhythmic drive for numerous historic recordings by Horace Silver, Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, and McCoy Tyner, and his playing has an intensity that is as subtle as it is complex. It creates a musical feel and vibe that is unmistakably “Hayesian.”
RETURN OF THE JAZZ COMMUNICATORS features vibraphonist Steve Nelson, tenor saxophonist Abraham Burton, pianist David Bryant, bassist Dezron Douglas, and, of course, Hayes in an inspired and rewarding set of music. When he reformed this band that he co-founded in the late ’60s with Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson-which Freddie dubbed the Jazz Communicators-Louis purposefully deviated from a conventional quintet lineup by featuring a vibraphone / tenor saxophone frontline
The selections include a mix of standards and originals, such as a ballad feature for Nelson, “Lush Life,” and one for Burton, “Portrait of Jennie,” as well as the deep, loose groove of Mulgrew Miller’s “Soul-Leo,” which opens the record. RETURN OF THE JAZZ COMMUNICATORS captures this beloved group in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative live audience. In the words of Hayes, “I try to do what I do best and what makes me feel good…I guess I might as well keep on swinging.”
released May 13, 2014
Abraham Burton – tenor saxophone
Steve Nelson – vibraphone
David Bryant – piano
Dezron Douglas – bass
Louis Hayes – drums
Recorded Live on November 16, 2013
at Smoke Jazz Club, New York City
Recorded & Produced by Paul Stache
Mixing by Roman Klun & Paul Stache
Mastering by Roman Klun
Photography by Jimmy Katz
Product Management & Design by Damon Smith
Piano provided by Steinway & Sons
Executive Producers: Frank Christopher & Paul Stache
