52nd Street Themes

2000 studio album by Joe Lovano

52nd Street Themes

Studio album by

Joe Lovano

Released| April 25, 2000 (2000-04-25)
Recorded| November 3–4, 1999
Studio| Avatar, New York City
Genre| Jazz
Length| 67:32
Label| Blue Note
Producer| Joe Lovano
Joe Lovano chronology
| Trio Fascination: Edition One
(1998)  | 52nd Street Themes
(2000)  | Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two
(2001)

|
|

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [1]
Tom Hull| B+[3]
Los Angeles Times| [2]

52nd Street Themes is a studio album by the American jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano.[4][5] It was recorded in early November 1999 and released by the Blue Note label on April 25, 2000.[6][7] The album won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.[8] It is named after the jazz standard by Thelonious Monk.[9]

## Background[edit]

To record the album, Lovano has assembled a medium-sized band of prominent musicians, inviting trumpeter Tim Hagans, trombonist Conrad Herwig, alto saxophonist Steve Slagle, baritonist Gary Smulyan, pianist John Hicks, bassist Dennis Irwin, drummer Lewis Nash, and tenor saxophonists George Garzone and Ralph Lalama. The record also features Cleveland-based jazz composers and arrangers Tadd Dameron and Willie Smith. Lovano initially met them through his father, Tony Lovano, who was also a saxophonist collaborating with both of them. Later, Lovano and Smith played saxophone together in Jack McDuff's band—for which Smith wrote.[10] On 52nd Street Themes Lovano plays only tenor sax.[11]

## Reception[edit]

Doug Ramsey of Jazz Times stated:

> Lovano’s venture in nostalgia is a visit to the music that he heard when he was growing up and becoming a musician in Cleveland. Fortunately for him, and for the listener, what he heard under the aegis of his father were the great jazz artists of the ’40s and ’50s. The compositions the tenor saxophonist explores were written or played by Tadd Dameron, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ernie Henry, Billy Strayhorn and George Gershwin. Lovano and his father’s friend and colleague Willie “Face” Smith arranged seven of them for a nine-piece band... Lovano hopes to establish his nonet as a working, traveling band. The evidence of this first outing favors that idea.

> — Doug, Ramsey (1 September 2000). "Joe Lovano: 52nd Street Themes, Blue Note Records". Jazz Times. jazztimes.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.

David Adler of All About Jazz commented:

> While Joe Lovano has played some decidedly non-mainstream music during his career, this record is a powerful reminder of the tenor giant’s debt to the tradition. Still, the music has that unmistakable Lovano edge. Joined by what is in essence a small big band, Lovano pays tribute to the legendary players and composers of the bebop era, with a concentration on the great Tadd Dameron. Willie "Face" Smith (not to be confused with the famed altoist who died in 1967) wrote the orchestrations.

> — Adler, David (May 1, 2000). "Joe Lovano Nonet: 52nd Street". All About Jazz. allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.

## Track listing[edit]

No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "If You Could See Me Now"| Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman| 3:53
2.| "On a Misty Night"| Dameron| 5:03
3.| "Sippin' at Bells"| Miles Davis| 5:11
4.| "Passion Flower"| Billy Strayhorn| 5:04
5.| "Deal"| Willie "Face" Smith| 7:13
6.| "The Scene Is Clean"| Dameron| 3:48
7.| "Whatever Possess'd Me"| Dameron| 3:58
8.| "Charlie Chan"| Lovano| 8:07
9.| "Theme for Ernie"| Fred Lacey| 5:52
10.| "Tadd's Delight"| Dameron| 7:49
11.| "Abstractions on 52nd Street"| Joe Lovano| 2:04
12.| "52nd Street Theme"| Thelonious Monk| 4:32
13.| "Embraceable You"| George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin| 4:58
Total length:| 01:07:32

## Personnel[edit]

* Steve Slagle – alto saxophone
* Joe Lovano – tenor saxophone
* George Garzone – tenor saxophone
* Ralph Lalama – tenor saxophone
* Gary Smulyan – baritone saxophone
* Tim Hagans – trumpet
* Conrad Herwig – trombone
* John Hicks – piano
* Dennis Irwin – bass
* Lewis Nash – drums

## References[edit]

1. ^ Wolff, Carlo. "Joe Lovano: 52nd Street Themes". allmusic.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
2. ^ Heckman, Don (May 4, 2000). "Four From the Wide Spectrum That Is Jazz". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
3. ^ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Joe Lovano". Tom Hull. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
4. ^ "Must Hear". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. 62 No.7 (665). 8 May 2000. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
5. ^ Pekar, Harvey (1 June 2000). "Joe Lovano: 52nd Street Themes (Blue Note)". clevescene.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
6. ^ "Joe Lovano Nonet: 52nd Street Themes". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
7. ^ Margolis, Bob (24 April 2000). "Joe Lovano Dips Into History for 52nd Street Themes". MTV. mtv.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
8. ^ "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album". grammy.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
9. ^ Adler, David (1 May 2000). "Joe Lovano Nonet: 52nd Street Themes". All About Jazz. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
10. ^ Pekar, Harvey. "Joe Lovano: 52nd Street Themes (Blue Note)". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
11. ^ Hooper, Joseph (3 April 2000). "Sonic Youth, Stereolab Fall Short … Lovano 52nd St. by Way of Cleveland". Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2019.

## External links[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Joe Lovano

Albums|

* Tones, Shapes & Colors (1985)
* Hometown Sessions (1986)
* Solid Steps (1986)
* Village Rhythm (1988)
* Ten Tales (and Aldo Romano, 1989)
* Worlds (1989)
* Landmarks (1990)
* From the Soul (1991)
* Sounds of Joy (1991)
* Universal Language (1992)
* Tenor Legacy (1993)
* Quartets: Live at the Village Vanguard (1994–95)
* Rush Hour (1994)
* Celebrating Sinatra (1996)
* Tenor Time (1996)
* Trio Fascination: Edition One (1997)
* Friendly Fire (and Greg Osby, 1998)
* 52nd Street Themes (1999)
* Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two (2000)
* Viva Caruso (2001)
* Oh! (ScoLoHoFo: John Scofield, Lovano, Dave Holland, Al Foster, 2002)
* On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (2002)
* I'm All For You (2003)
* Joyous Encounter (2004)
* Classic! Live at Newport (2005)
* Streams of Expression (2005)
* Symphonica (2005)
* Kids: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (2006)
* Folk Art (2008)
* Bird Songs (2010)
* Cross Culture (2012)
* Sound Prints (and Dave Douglas, 2013)
* Trio Tapestry (2019)
* Garden of Expression (2021)
* Our Daily Bread (2023)

* v
* t
* e

John Hicks

Years given are for the recording(s), not first release,
unless stated otherwise.

leader

co-leader|

* Hells Bells (1975)
* Steadfast (1975)
* After the Morning (West 54, 1979)
* Some Other Time (1981)
* John Hicks (1982)
* In Concert (1984)
* Inc. 1 (1985)
* Luminous (and Elise Wood, 1985–88)
* Two of a Kind (and Ray Drummond, 1986–87)
* I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By (1987)
* East Side Blues (1988)
* Naima's Love Song (1988)
* Oleo (New York Unit, 1989)
* Rhythm-a-Ning (and Kenny Barron, 1989)
* Blue Bossa (New York Unit, 1990)
* Is That So? (1990)
* Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Seven (1990)
* Power Trio (1990)
* St. Thomas: Tribute to Great Tenors (1991)
* Tribute to George Adams (1991–92)
* After the Morning (Dominic Sciscente Music, 1992)
* Blues March: Portrait of Art Blakey (1992)
* Crazy for You (1992)
* Friends Old and New (1992)
* Moanin': Portrait of Art Blakey (1992)
* Now's the Time (New York Unit, 1992)
* Over the Rainbow (New York Unit, 1992)
* Single Petal of a Rose (1992)
* The Missouri Connection (and Jay McShann, 1992)
* Beyond Expectations (1993)
* Lover Man: A Tribute to Billie Holiday (1993)
* Akari (New York Unit, 1994)
* Duality (and Peter Leitch, 1994)
* Gentle Rain (1994)
* In the Mix (1994)
* Heart Beats (Keystone Trio, 1995)
* Piece for My Peace (1995)
* Cry Me a River (1997)
* Newklear Music (Keystone Trio, 1997)
* Nightwind: An Erroll Garner Songbook (1997)
* Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn Songbook (1997)
* Trio + Strings (1997)
* Hicks Time (released 1998)
* Impressions of Mary Lou (1998)
* Beautiful Friendship (and Elise Wood, 2000)
* Music in the Key of Clark (2001)
* Fatha's Day: An Earl Hines Songbook (2003)
* Twogether (with Frank Morgan, 2005–6)
* I Remember You (2006)
* On the Wings of an Eagle (2006)
* Sweet Love of Mine (2006)

With
Art
Blakey|

* 'S Make It (and The Jazz Messengers, 1964)
* Soul Finger (and The Jazz Messengers, 1965)
* Hold On, I'm Coming (1966)
* Child's Dance (and The Jazz Messengers, 1972)

With
Arthur
Blythe|

* Illusions (1980)
* Blythe Spirit (1981)
* Blythe Byte (2001)
* Exhale (2002)

With
David
Murray|

* Morning Song (1983)
* Sketches of Tokyo (co-led, 1985)
* I Want to Talk About You (1986)
* Ming's Samba (1988)
* Ballads for Bass Clarinet (1991)
* David Murray/James Newton Quintet (1991)
* Fast Life (1991)
* MX (1992)
* For Aunt Louise (1993)
* Jazzosaurus Rex (1993)
* Love and Sorrow (1993)
* Saxmen (1993)
* Like a Kiss that Never Ends (2000)

With
Pharoah
Sanders|

* Journey to the One (1979)
* Pharoah Sanders Live... (1981)
* Rejoice (1981)
* Africa (1987)
* A Prayer Before Dawn (1987)

With
others|

* Solid! (Eric Alexander, 1998)
* Sunday in New York (Eric Alexander, 2005)
* Eby (Hamiet Bluiett, 1984)
* Fast Last! (Lester Bowie, 1974)
* Now It's My Turn (Betty Carter, 1976)
* The Audience with Betty Carter (1979)
* It's Not About the Melody (Betty Carter, 1992)
* Gardenias for Lady Day (James Carter, 2003)
* The Bassist: Homage to Diversity (Richard Davis, released 2001)
* Structurally Sound (Booker Ervin, 1966)
* Flying Colors (Ricky Ford, 1980)
* Interpretations (Ricky Ford, 1982)
* Awakening (Sonny Fortune, 1985)
* The Outside Within (Chico Freeman, 1978)
* Spirit Sensitive (Chico Freeman, 1978–79)
* Habana (Roy Hargrove, 1997)
* Again and Again (Oliver Lake, 1991)
* 52nd Street Themes (Joe Lovano, 1999)
* On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (Joe Lovano, 2002)
* Streams of Expression (Joe Lovano, 2005)
* Hi Voltage (Hank Mobley, 1967)
* Taru (Lee Morgan, 1968)
* Staying on the Watch (Sonny Simmons, 1966)
* Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival (Charles Tolliver, 1972)
* Love Remains (Bobby Watson, 1986)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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