One Day, Forever
The Philadelphia-born tenor saxophonist Benny Golson is one of the most accomplished jazz writers, and this recording celebrates his compositional genius, as well as his underrated tenor sax sound. Backed by the late trumpeterArt Farmer, a rhythm section featuring bassistRon Carter, Jazz Messenger alumnus trombonist Curtis Fuller, and a string orchestra, Golson hosts special guestShirley Hornon the wistful, honey-toned title track and tackles some of his ageless hits. The midtempo, modal-bridged "Killer Joe," "Along Came Betty," and the ballad "Are You Real?" still ring with their vintage hard-bop edge and yet sound entirely contemporary. Golson's early numbers, "Blue Walk" and "Out of the Past," likewise still swing, and his 10-minute classical piece, "On Gossamer Wings" (performed by pianist Lara Downes) reveals the full range of his eclectic musicality. He logged crucial time in the 1950s withArt Blakey's Jazz Messengers, cofounded the Jazztet with Farmer, and was a close friend ofJohn Coltrane.--Eugene Holley Jr.