Jacquet's Velvet Turn Through Porter
Illinois Jacquet trades his honking tenor for a lush, unhurried take on Cole Porter's most romantic ballads.
Bosses of the Ballad opens with Illinois Jacquet's tenor sax sitting low and warm over a full orchestral bed, the tempos mostly unhurried and the mood plainly romantic. This is not the Jacquet of the riotous Flying Home solos. Here he leans into tone and phrasing, letting Cole Porter's melodies carry the weight while his sound stays smooth and close to the microphone.
The album was recorded in 1964 and released on the Argo label. It is built entirely around Porter compositions, arranged for Jacquet and a large ensemble. Jacquet is the only musician whose name I can confirm from the session, so the arrangements and the bulk of the listening experience rest on his playing. Compared with his earlier small-group work, the setting is more polished and less spontaneous, and some listeners may find it sweeter than they expected.
For a listener coming to Jacquet for the first time, this is a fair but not essential entry point. Start with his more fiery recordings to hear the range he could reach, then come here if you want to hear him at his most tender. It is a solid, pleasant record rather than a major statement, and it is most rewarding for fans who already enjoy ballad playing and the Porter songbook.
Who's playing
Illinois Jacquettenor saxophone
Where next?
More by Illinois Jacquet
All 28 albums →
