Next Lovano CD Will Feature Ballads

On May 4 Blue Note will release a new disc from saxophonist Joe Lovano that puts him back in the company of a jazz quartet after releasing a few discs featuring bigger bands. The forthcoming I’m All For You is a nine-song collection of ballads that features a crack band. Sometimes we use the term “crack band” because we can’t think of anything else to use, but this time we’re for real. Aside from Lovano’s remarkable talents on tenor, I’m All For You boasts the chops of pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Mraz and drummer Paul Motian.

Regarding the material chosen for the album, Lovano says that he picked these tunes because he has realized that a lot of the songs that touch him most deeply are ballads. Fair enough. On the new disc we’re treated to warhorse standards like “Stella by Starlight” and “Early Autumn,” as well as a slowed-to-ballad-tempo version of John Coltrane’s “Countdown” from the late master’s album Giant Steps. Here’s the full track list:

I’m All for You (7:48)

Don’t Blame Me (7:50)

Monk’s Mood (3:58)

The Summary (5:14)

Stella by Starlight (5:44)

I Waited for You (9:24)

Like Someone in Love (6:48)

Early Autumn (7:29)

Countdown (4:37)

Lovano is also about to head out on the road for some live performances, starting in April with a trio concert at the North Sea Jazz Festival Cape Town in South Africa. After that he’ll come back to America for a number of dates that includes a run at Iridium in June with Hank Jones. Dates:

4/11/2004 Rosies Capetown, South Africa

4/15/2004 Donaldson Hall Tifton, GA

4/16/2004 Tri-C Festival Cleveland, OH

4/23/2004 Hobby Center Houston, TX

4/24/2004 Zellerbach Auditorium Berkeley, CA

4/25/2004 Cal Poly Theater San Louis Obispo, CA

4/27/2004 Sherwood Auditorium La Jolla, CA

4/29/2004 Mondavi Center for the Arts Davis, CA

4/30/2004 Scottsdale Cultural Council Scottsdale, AZ

5/1/2004 Cerritos Center for the Arts Cerritos, CA

5/21/2004 Terrace Theater Washington, DC

5/22/2004 The Union Congregational Church Upper Montclair, NJ

5/28/2004 Symphony Space Chicago, IL

6/8/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/9/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/10/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/11/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/12/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/13/2004 Iridium (w/ Hank Jones) New York, NY

6/27/2004 Freihofer’s Jazz Festival Saratoga, NY

7/31/2004 Caramoor Festival Katonah, NY

8/24/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/25/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/26/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/27/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/28/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/29/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

8/31/2004 Village Vanguard New York, NY

Originally Published March 26, 2004