Greg Burrows: Let’s Not Wait – The Music of Ed Bonoff

GREBU RECORDS 1002 (RELEASED OCTOBER 31)

Trombonist Eddie Bert introduced jazz fans to the music of composer/arranger Ed Bonoff on his 1997 recording The Human Factor. Twenty-eight years later, drummer Greg Burrows brings more of Bonoff’s music to life on Let’s Not Wait. Burrows, a longtime friend and musical partner of Bonoff, realized that very few artists have recorded Bonoff’s original music and arrangements. Let’s Not Wait changes all that! With the exception of “Ellington/Strayhorn Medley,” an arrangement that weaves “Daydream,” “Don’t You Know I Care,” and “After All” into a flowing medium-slow ballad, Burrows and his sextet of Tim Armacost on tenor and soprano sax, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, John Fumasoli on trombone, Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano and Rich Zurkowski on bass present nine Bonoff compositions and arrangements that did not appear on Bert’s 1997 date. Bonoff spent his younger years absorbing the bebop sounds at the original Birdland while building his drumming skills in a variety of bands. So, it is no surprise that his music is reminiscent of bop arrangers such as Tadd Dameron and Gil Fuller. The opening track, “Pizza Navona,” is a good example. This up-tempo minor key swinger is an ideal launching pad for solos from band members . But rather than a series of solos, Bonoff’s arrangements make good use of horn vamps as solos transition from one player to the next. The same is true of the spirited “Meatloaf and Margaux,” the tender ballad “It Just Gets Better” and the bossa “Let’s Not Wait.” Bonoff gives Duke Ellington’s “Shout ‘Em, Aunt Tillie” a second line beat and adds guitarist Al Orlo to the mix. Bonoff’s arrangement of “Spruce Alley” has Armacost’s soprano blending well with Smulyan and Fumasoli while the up tempo swing of “Mitosis” showcases Burrow’s drumming . What makes Let’s Not Wait a memorable recording is more than the compositions and arrangements of Bonoff. It is the passion and energy Burrows and his sextet bring to this music as well as the support of Bonoff throughout the process. To quote the title, Let’s Not Wait for another 28 years to hear more of Bonoff’s music!

BOTTOM LINE: Ed Bonoff is an unsung hero of the New York jazz scene. He experienced the bebop revolution at the original Birdland. He played drums with a variety of groups between the 1940s and 1960s. But he is more remembered for his compositions and arrangements. Drummer Greg Burrows, with the support of Bonoff, assembled a group of New York’s best working musicians to bring Bonoff’s music to life on Let’s Not Wait.