The Messenger

Poetic tribute to Bossa Nova through Hank Mobley’s sax

rolling drums and sax assertive but laid back latin keys on a train trumptet grooves dedicates beats delicate painterly climbing sounds in swing guards loosening then reckoning melody stacked blooms on one horn declares a soul brilliant, out-worn blasting through solo breaking the roof high Monday afternoon rails leaping to the moon

Notes:

The song “Recado Bossa Nova” (recado=message) introduced me to one the most underrated jazz saxophonists, Hank Mobley, a champion of hard bop who experimented with bossa nova, as did his collaborators and direct contemporaries such as Miles Davis. His amazing work is worth immersing in depth to make amends for his sad and obscure death.

Composed by Luiz Antonio and Djalma Ferreira.

Hank Mobley —Tenor saxophone Lee Morgan — Trumpet Harold Mabern, Jr. —Piano Larry Ridley — Bass Billy Higgins — Drums

Written for the July Summer Music Challenge where I wrote a poem or story about bossa nova for 31 days. See below for all entries including Terry Barr’s 8 brilliant memoirs about summer and music: