Search - Winard Harper :: Come Into the Light

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Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 06/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Winard Harper is a talented, dedicated and charismatic drummer-bandleader who might be regarded as an "enabler" for musicians and audiences alike. He programs his sets with an equal regard to the abilities of his young musicians and the grasp of audiences who may not be quite ready for extended prime-time, hard-core improvising. This live recording of Winard's group captures the non-visual qualities that make his performances crowd-pleasers. Solos are usually contained to a single chorus and are distributed equally among the six members of the group, each of whom manages to display a level of musicianship equal to his enthusiasm.



Although some jazz writers have compared the leader to Max Roach or Art Blakey, Winard's approach lacks the rhythmic complexity of the former and the hard drive of the latter. He's a "showy" drummer who may not make you dance but who can bring you to your feet with his fast hands, expressive facial features, and a highly personal style that, in effect, breaks down a drummer's accents into a kind of "pixillated" visual choreography.



This album, with a varied and lengthy program of 13 tunes, is bound to be a winner with young people and newcomers to jazz, especially if they have first had a chance to experience Winard's energy in person."