Ed Thigpen Scantet #1

- released 2004

Veteran drummer Ed Thigpen has led relatively few record dates throughout his long career, but when he does get into the studio to front a band, he has something to say. Joining him on these 2003 sessions are some promising young Scandinavians: trumpeter Jens Winther, tenor saxophonist Tomas Franck, pianist Kasper Villaume, and bassist Jesper Bodilsen. The leader contributed five compositions, including the strutting hard bop opener “Shake It Out,” the intricate ballad “Wannabe” (which eventually needs lyrics to go with it), and the catchy bossa nova “Denise.” The Scantet (as Thigpen calls his group) also works wonders with Duke Pearson’s loping “Denise” and a driving rendition of Benny Harris’ bop anthem “Reets and I.” The influence of John Coltrane upon Franck is apparent in the tenor man’s exotic and tense “Bombay.” Winther shines in a magnificent take of “In a Sentimental Mood,” which eventually segues into an equally moving performance of “It Might as Well Be Spring.” Throughout the CD, Thigpen’s s seemingly effortless percussion clearly inspires his younger bandmates. Highly recommended.

…from allmusic.com (LINK to review)

Band
Jens Winther Trumpet
Thomas Franck Saxophone
Kasper Villaume Piano
Jesper Bodilsen Bass
Ed Thigpen Drums

Tracks
Title Composer Time
1 Shake It Out Ed Thigpen 4:53 LISTEN
2 Wannabe Ed Thigpen 5:51 LISTEN
3 Thaddeus Ed Thigpen 5:23 LISTEN
4 In a Sentimental Mood Duke Ellington 6:23
5 It Might as Well Be Spring Richard Rodgers 4:21
6 Denise Ed Thigpen 6:24 LISTEN
7 Is That So Benny Harris 6:54
8 Reets and I Thomas Frank 6:07
9 Bombay 9:15
10 Fast Train Ed Thigpen 5:41 LISTEN

Reviews

With his typically relaxed yet insistingly swinging style, Thigpen makes everything feel good here. Donít sleep on this master of the kit!
-Bill Milkowski, Jazztimes

Since Moving to Denmark in the early ¥70s, jazzdrumming great Ed Thigpen has tapped the talents of Scandinaviaís brightest rising talents (îScantetî). As senior mentor to these northern îJazz Messengers,îThigpen delivers robust, tuneful swing and bop with his classic, bluesy feel. His trademark elegant brushwork is here, as well as spirited stick magic and irresistible cymbal riding. Tomas Franck (tenor), Jens Winther (trumpet), Jesper Bodilsen (bass) and Kasper Villaume (piano) share their leaderís love of balance and good taste. No flash, just class!!!.
-Jeff Potter, Modern Drummer

Ed Thigpen rhythm features - the element of swing

It never ceases to amaze me how two or more individuals can get together and in an incredibly
short period take a few songs, some familiar, and some totally new works; rearrange them, learn
and proceed to perform these songs in public and/or record then for posterity on a cd.
This is a common occurrence in the jazz Idiom. The only explanation that makes sense to me is
that we have been granted the gift of this particular unique talent. It is truly a gift from the
almighty; a gift to be used as a tool for universal self-expression is shared peace and joy.
On this CD you will hear the combined talents of Carsten Dahl, Jesper Bodilsen, our special
guest Joe Lavano and myself, offering you a diversity of musical stories. My idea was to present
a variety of grooves, colors and moods showcasing some of the multidimensional aspects of
interpreting this music called jazz.
- Ed Thigpen

Band
Joe Lavano Saxophone
Carsten Dahl Piano
Jesper Bodilsen Bass
Ed Thigpen Drums

Tracks
Title Composer Time
1 Sweet Mama Ed Thigpen 6:41 LISTEN
2 ETP Ed Thigpen 5:40 LISTEN
3 Hello Joe Jesper Bodilsen 7:26
4 Emperor Jones Joe Lavano 4:32
5 Lonnie’s Lament John Coltrane 8:10
6 Chelsea Bridge Billy Strayhorn 7:08
7 Impressionistic Joe Lavano 7:38
8 Like Blues Ed Thigpen 6:27 LISTEN
9 Street Freak Carsten Dahl 9:40

Reviews

Review at allmusic.com by Ken Dryden - LINK

It’s Entertainment

One of the most exciting phenomena about the nature of collective
spontainous interpretation of music, particularly during a live
performance, is that unexpected things generally happen.
In the live performance of jazz interpretation, academic
rules can be and are broken from time to time, the performance is
not meant to be an intellectual excersize, although the use of collective
intellect is inclusive. The performance of the music is the center
of a communal affair or activity. The most important thing is
whether or not the performers are able to communicate in a positive
way with the audience. The audiences response via its
applause, participation in dance and/or verbal comment will give
one the answer to this question. This being the case, when the performance
and the audiences repsonse says that a good time was had
by all on the evening of May 13 & 14th 1998 at the Copenhagen Jazz House.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT !!

We hope that you enjoy it too!

-Ed Thigpen

Band
Carsten Dahl Piano
Jesper Bodilsen Bass
Ed Thigpen Drums

Tracks
Title Composer Time
1 Lady Bird Tadd Dameron 9:27
2 Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise S. Romberg 7:56
3 Meaning Carsten Dahl 5:14
4 Cosmic Voyage Ed Thigpen 13:03 LISTEN
5 Shufflin Long Ed Thigpen 9:20 LISTEN
6 Ed’s Hat Carsten Dahl 7:08
7 Body and Soul J. Green 3:39
8 Gule Blomster Ed Thigpen 4:20 LISTEN
9 Cloud Break Ed Thigpen 6:17 LISTEN

Reviews

Thigpen has a deft hand on the drums, and this live set from the Copenhagen Jazz House in 1998 is good proof of his skill. Never one to grandstand, he puts the music first. His trio, with Carsten Dahl on piano and Jesper Bodilsen on bass, lays down some straightforward and pleasing traditional jazz, with nice original tunes by all members of the band.
- Tim Sheridan (review at allmusic.com LINK).

Mr.Taste

Album cover of Mr.Taste This is a fine CD from drummer Ed Thigpen, who has led relatively few sessions throughout his career. Heading a trio also including guitarist Tony Purrone and bassist Mads Vinding, Thigpen is generous in allocating solo space and, even though he contributed three of the compositions, the focus is mostly on his sidemen. The boppish music includes both standards (such as “Dewey Square,” “A Child Is Born,” and “‘Round Midnight”) and obscurities, including two pieces by the cool-toned and swinging Purrone…

from allmusic.com LINK

Band
Tony Purrone Guitar
Mads Vinding Bass
Ed Thigpen Drums

Tracks
Title Composer Time
1 Ginger Bread Boy Jimmy Heath 6:43
2 Sometime Ago Sergio Mahanovich 6:00
3 Denise Ed Thigpen 7:33 LISTEN
4 Dewey Square Charlie Parker 5:11
5 A Child is Born Thad Jones, Alec Wilder 5:05
6 Invitation Bronislav Kaper 5:42
7 You Name It Thomas Clausen 4:28
8 Ballad Tony Purrone 5:03
9 Jamaican Baion Ed Thigpen 5:38 LISTEN
10 E.T.P. Ed Thigpen 5:31 LISTEN
11 Round Midnight B. Hanighen, T. Monk, C. Williams 5:29
12 Tony’s Blues Tony Purrone 7:42

Easy Flight

Album cover of Easy Flight Drummer Ed Thigpen will always be best-known for his long stint with the Oscar Peterson Trio. For this rare CD put out by the Dutch Reckless label, Thigpen heads a quartet also including the Peterson-inspired pianist Johnny O’Neal, guitarist Tony Purrone and bassist Marlene Rosenberg. With the exception of O’Neal’s “Tropical Breeze” and Thigpen’s “Easy Flight,” the 11 songs are all familiar standards that serve as fine vehicles for the solos of O’Neal and Purrone; Thigpen is mostly content to accompany his younger sidemen. Thigpen’s date is easily recommended to straightahead jazz collectors lucky enough to find this CD.

…from allmusic.com LINK

Band
Johnny O’Neal Piano
Tony Purrone Guitar
Marlene Rosenberg Bass
Ed Thigpen Drums

Tracks
Title Composer Time
1 I Hear a Rhapsody Baker, Fragos, Gasparre 5:29
2 Tropical Breeze Johnny O’Neal 6:21
3 Strolin Horace Silver 7:28
4 The Old Black Magic Mercer & Harold 4:24
5 Chelsea Bridge Strayhorn 5:03
6 Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You Razaf, Redman 5:43
7 Easy Flight Ed Thigpen 6:08 LISTEN
8 Preluse to a Kiss Duke Ellington 4:40
9 The Way You look Tonight Fields, Kern 4:16
10 Make Someone Happy Campden, Green, Styne 6:26
11 Freedom Jazzdance Eddie Harris 3:24