Duke Person - Mosaic Select 08 [2003] (3 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

DUK PEARSON

Duke Person - Mosaic Select 08 [2003] (3 x CDs)

This three‑disc set gathers Duke Pearson’s core Blue Note work from the mid‑sixties, presenting a portrait of a musician whose influence ran far deeper than his name often suggests. As pianist, composer, arranger, and later A&R director, Pearson shaped the label’s sound during a period when hard bop was widening into more lyrical, harmonically rich territory. Mosaic’s chronological layout lets the sessions unfold naturally, revealing how his writing and ensemble direction developed across a remarkably productive stretch.

The early material highlights Pearson’s gift for melody. His themes are clear, balanced, and quietly distinctive, giving soloists strong frameworks without locking them into rigid structures. The small‑group sessions with Donald Byrd, Joe Henderson, and Pepper Adams show how effectively Pearson could anchor a band: his touch is light but decisive, shaping the rhythm without drawing attention away from the horns. Pieces like “Chant” and “Jeannine” demonstrate his ability to write lines that feel both modern and rooted in blues phrasing.

The arrangements become more ambitious as the set moves forward. Pearson’s work with larger ensembles reveals a deep understanding of colour and contrast. Brass and reeds are placed carefully, creating textures that support rather than overwhelm the rhythm section. The writing carries a warmth that distinguishes his approach from the sharper edges of other arrangers of the period. Even in more complex charts, the music retains a sense of ease.

The final sessions show Pearson refining his balance between structure and openness. His piano playing becomes more spacious, and the compositions lean toward modal shapes that give the soloists wider room. Across all three discs, the set confirms Pearson as a central figure in Blue Note’s evolution: a musician whose quiet authority shaped the sound of an era. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Duke Pearson - The Phantom 10:19

02 Duke Pearson - Blues for Alvina 3:08

03 Duke Pearson - Bunda Amerela (Little Yellow Streetcar) 5:46

04 Duke Pearson - Los Ojos Alegres 6:17

05 Duke Pearson - Say You're Mine 5:38

06 Duke Pearson - The Moana Surf 7:25

07 Duke Pearson - Theme From Rosemary's Baby 3:17

08 Duke Pearson - I Don't Know 6:59

09 Duke Pearson - Captain Bicardi 5:45

10 Duke Pearson - Dialogo 3:37

11 Duke Pearson - Xibaba 6:32

12 Duke Pearson - Once I Loved (O Amor En Paz) 5:22

CD2

01 Duke Pearson - Gira, Girou (Round and Round) 7:19

02 Duke Pearson - Hermeto 5:42

03 Duke Pearson - Lost in The Stars 3:28

04 Duke Pearson - It Could Only Happen With You 3:37

05 Duke Pearson - Stormy 3:37

06 Duke Pearson - Book's Bossa 6:37

07 Duke Pearson - Emily 4:01

08 Duke Pearson - Bloos 7:39

09 Duke Pearson - I Don't Care Who Knows It 3:10

10 Duke Pearson - A Beautiful Friendship 6:39

11 Duke Pearson - Horn In 5:53

12 Duke Pearson - Canto Ossanha 6:38

13 Duke Pearson - Sandalia Dela 3:31

14 Duke Pearson - Tears 3:30

15 Duke Pearson - Lamento 2:53

16 Duke Pearson - Upa Neguinho 1:58

CD3

01 Duke Pearson - Stella By Starlight 4:40

02 Duke Pearson - Clara 2:45

03 Duke Pearson - Give Me Some Love 3:25

04 Duke Pearson - Christo Redentor 3:54

05 Duke Pearson - Little Song 2:54

06 Duke Pearson - My Love Waits (O Meu Amor Espera) 4:36

07 Duke Pearson - How Insensitive (Insensalez) 2:15

08 Duke Pearson - Sleigh Ride 6:26

09 Duke Pearson - Little Drummer Boy 5:42

10 Duke Pearson - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2:01

11 Duke Pearson - Jingle Bells 5:12

12 Duke Pearson - Santa Claus is Coming to Town 4:09

13 Duke Pearson - Go Tell it to The Mountain 3:47

14 Duke Pearson - Wassail Song 3:03

15 Duke Pearson - Silent Night 4:15

16 Duke Pearson - O Little Town of Bethlehem 1:16

17 Duke Pearson - Old Fashioned Christmas 2:26

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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