The fifth Blue Note recording by New York clarinet virtuoso DON BYRON is above all a tribute to the great tenor saxophonist Lester Young. With "I Want To Be Happy", "Somebody Loves Me" (in two very different versions), "I Cover The Waterfront" and "I've Found A New Baby", the current Down Beat Poll winner in the "Clarinet" category celebrates four classics from the Young repertoire as profound improvisational fireworks.
As you would expect from BYRON, his Young interpretations do not indulge in nostalgia, but breathe the absolutely contemporary jazz feeling of the 2004 vintage. Inspired by Young's legendary trio from the forties with Nat "King" Cole and Buddy Rich, BYRON relies on a bassless formation with young piano star Jason Moran and drumming giant Jack DeJohnette. On some other tracks, the trio is joined by bassist Lonnie Plaxico and / or trumpeter Ralph Alessi. BYRON also surprises with exquisite Miles Davis interpretations of "Freddie Freeloader" and "In A Silent Way" (the electric jazz classic is performed purely acoustically here). Ivey-Divey" is rounded off by four brand new BYRON compositions, including two pieces he recently wrote for the Billie Holiday TV documentary "Strange Fruit".