TEDDY EDWARDS QUARTET
Teddy's Ready (Prestige)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Teddy Edwards, a contemporary of Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, has been consistently overlooked as a jazz artist and tenor player. Perhaps he's obscure because he has spent his entire career in the Los Angeles area. I confess, I had heard very little of Edward's work until this disc. Little did I know what I was missing.

On "Teddy's Ready" Edwards is joined by the great Billy Higgins on drums, Joe Castro on piano, and LeRoy Vinnegar on bass. The group plays four standards and three originals by Edwards. This is straightforward yet vital music, played by musicians who sound as if they are thoroughly enjoying each other's company.

The group plays standards wonderfully; check out "What's New" or "Take The A Train". However, it is on the Edward's originals that they truly shine. Listening to "Blues In G," "You Name It," and "Higgins' Hideaway," one realizes that these musicians were truly ready for this session. When you hear Teddy's tone on tenor and his sensitive soloing, you will realize how unfairly undervalued Edwards has been. Hopefully this will change with time.

© 2000 - Ron Saranich