Lush Life: Music of Billy Strayhorn
Joe Henderson's complex and subtle talents as a tenor saxophonist, bandleader, accompanist, and composer were already finely drawn after lengthy associations with the Blue Note and Milestone labels, when he signed to Verve as an elder statesman in the 1990s. For his debut with the label, Henderson chose an all-Billy Strayhorn session--he had recorded such Strayhorn gems as "Chelsea Bridge" before with great success. His solo rendition of the title track is spectacular. He goes on to play duets with pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis joins the lineup for three guest performances.--John Swenson