# CD review: Charles Tolliver – Connect 2020: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2020/07/31/cd-review-charles-tolliver-connect-2020-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2020-07-31T00:31:31+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**New York-based trumpeter, composer and educator Charles Tolliver presents Connect,
his first studio album in 13 years.**

Recorded to tape at RAK Studios last November by Tony Platt (Bob Marley, Jazz Jamaica
All Stars, Abdullah Ibrahim), the line-up features top musicians from the New York
jazz scene who have collectively played with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Nancy 
Wilson, and Chick Corea. Forming as the Charles Tolliver All Stars, the band includes
Jesse Davis on alto saxophone, Keith Brown on piano, Buster Williams on double bass,
and Lenny White on drums. The album also bridges together New York and London by
featuring leading British saxophonist Binker Golding on two tracks, (Binker & Moses,
Moses Boyd Exodus, Zara McFarlane.)

On recording with Gearbox, Charles said: … with both of our collective recording
label expertise a recording of my touring band could and would be done. I chose 
to CONNECT consummate artists whose performances represent absolutely ‘THE’ Real
Deal in this Artform – Lenny White, Buster Williams, Jesse Davis, Keith Brown. The
excellent artistry of Binker Golding was added for some tracks by Darrel.”

Active since the 1960s, Charles Tolliver has been carrying the torch for jazz through
his activities as accomplished trumpeter, educator at The New School, arranger for
big band, and founder of the iconic Strata-East label which was responsible for 
releasing albums by Gil Scott-Heron, Clifford Jordan, Charlie Rouse, and Shirley
Scott. As an entirely self-taught musician, he has collaborated with renowned artists
such as Roy Haynes, Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, and McCoy Tyner.

He once explained his method of improvisation in a Downbeat magazine interview.

“I like to rumble. I take the most difficult routes for improvisation. It’s easy
to play a number of choruses effortlessly and never make a mistake, never break 
down. That’s no fun. You need to get in hot water by trying something out right 
from the jump…”

01. Blue Soul (9:38)
 02. Emperor March (13:32) 03. Copasetic (6:07) 04. Suspicion(
9:59) 05. Charles Tolliver – Blue Soul (Edit) (6:07)

**Charles Tolliver, trumpet**
 **Jesse Davis, alto saxophone** **Binker Golding,
tenor saxophone** **Keith Brown, piano** **Buster Williams, double bass** **Lenny
White, drums**

![Connect | Charles Tolliver](https://i0.wp.com/f4.bcbits.com/img/a0002342599_10.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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