Jimmy Greene is a critically acclaimed tenor saxophonist jazz saxophonist, gospel musician, recording artist, record producer, and music professor. He started his music career in 1997, and has since released eight studio albums. Razdaz founder, bassist and composer Avishai Cohen, in whose band Greene played during the nineties, says, ‘Jimmy is one of the most exciting and innovative musicians in the scene today. He continues the legacy of such greats as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. I’m a fan.’
“Mission Statement” features Greene’s working band of Xavier Davis (keyboards), Reuben Rogers (bass) and Eric Harland (drums) ‘ a stellar quartet who have performed together since 2002.
The rhythm section is definitely not shy, laying a very rich and supportive basis. It is joined by guitarist Lage Lund, featured throughout, and his delicately beautiful touch that contrasts with Greene’s juicy tone in a variety of styles, from an initial strong and intricate theme to a soothing restatement that surprises with its mature, cool feel, topping it off with a funky fare from Davis’ Rhodes. Vibrationist Stefon Harris joins for a marvelous performance in “Revelation”.
“Although the songs greatly differ – from the funk in “Yeah You Right” and the mysticism in “Love In Action”, to the bold rhythm in “Mr. Octopus” and the tenderness in “Ana Grace”, this record is a multiple experience as it shows an elegant interplay between different worlds of sound.
An intensely personal undertaking, “Mission Statement” musically conveys a sense of who Jimmy Greene is, as a man and as an artist. “It deals with the most precious things in my life: Love, faith, family, relationships, childhood and dreams,’ explains Greene in his liner notes. Although much is happening musically in many of these tunes, in them, the melodies, themes and improvisational flow seem to express, in a simple way, the joys, the struggles, curiosities and discoveries personal to my life so far.”
“Mission Statement” is a clear declaration that there is a whole lot of music in the instrument and mind of Jimmy Greene.
Elliott Simon, All About Jazz
All songs written and arranged by Jimmy Greene, except track 10 (composed by Harry Smith, arranged by Jimmy Greene), and published by Sidney James Music / BMI except track 10 (published by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)
Produced by Jimmy Greene
Executive Producers: Avishai Cohen and Ray Jefford
Recorded mixed and mastered by Mike Marciano at Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Photography: Daniel Kedem
Artwork design: Toby Larnder
Released by Razdaz Recordz / Sunnyside Records in 2009.
