Introduction
Stanley Turrentine (1934-2000) was born in Pittsburgh PA into a musical family. His brother Tommy was an accomplished trumpeter and often played with Stanley. Stanley’s only formal music training came from a stint in the military so his jazz gifts were unspoiled by attending one of America’s prestigious music colleges where technique obliterates invention.
Review
My son has selected one of his favorite recordings, ‘River’s Invitation’ which was written by Percy Mayfield. The great Herbie Hancock is the pianist and the recording was made in 1965. Stanley was not one of Jazz’s innovators but he was one of the most accomplished tenor sax players with a rich, big sound, rooted in the Blues and Soul and on this number, exciting. This is from the album “The Best of Stanley Turrentine”. Also on the recording, Kenny Burrell (gtr), Bob Cranshaw(b) and Grady Tate (d). The orchestral arrangement was by the great alto sax player Oliver Nelson. Enjoy this exhilarating and happy music as an antidote to contemporary trash.