PAPATAMUS REDUX

JOJO RECORDS — Released September 11, 2026

Listening to George Garzone’s Themes for Good Friends reminds me of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Garzone can be gentle as a lamb as he caresses Fred Lacey’s heartfelt ballad “Theme for Ernie,” accompanied by the equally tender playing of pianist Luis Perdomo. He can also be as fearsome as a lion as he roars through Archie Shepp’s “Ujamma.” That dichotomy has always characterized Garzone’s playing, which runs the gamut from the exquisite lyricism of Stan Getz to the daring flights of John Coltrane. Themes for Good Friends presents Garzone in the company of trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist Perdomo, bassist Santi DeBriano and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts as they purr and roar through a set of originals and reimagined standards. While the instrumentation and repertoire might suggest a classic Blue Note hard-bop session, Themes for Good Friends takes a more contemporary approach. The treatment of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is a case in point. Watts opens with an extended drum solo before Garzone enters, skirting the melody and taking the tune through a series of detours only to settle into Coltrane’s familiar theme at the end. “To Michael Brecker,” written by Garzone after hearing of Michael Brecker’s death, is a poignant tribute. Garzone and Michael’s brother Randy begin in unison, then gradually move in separate directions, answering and challenging one another before returning to closing passages played in unison. The band captures the swagger of Charles Mingus in Garzone’s “Mingus That I Knew,” complete with Mingus-like time changes and inspired solos from all. Several tracks come closest to the classic hard-bop tradition. Shepp’s “Ujamma” rides on DeBriano’s strong, pulsating bass line and Watts’ crisp drumming, creating a foundation for a stratospheric Brecker solo, a Coltrane-inspired excursion from Garzone and an equally compelling contribution from Perdomo. “It Will Happen to You,” a contrafact based on Jimmy Van Heusen’s “It Could Happen to You,” provides the musicians with plenty of room to stretch. The Latin-inflected “Just Ring the Bell” features Brecker answering Garzone’s lines in an engaging musical conversation, while DeBriano’s “Ripty Boom” fits comfortably within the classic hard-bop model. Unlike Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll, who ultimately loses his struggle with Hyde, Garzone has no interest in allowing either side of his musical character to prevail. As evidenced by Themes for Good Friends, that is what makes both Garzone and this new release a timeless classic!

BOTTOM LINE: George Garzone is not only one of today’s finest saxophonists but also a highly regarded educator. In that spirit, Themes for Good Friends is a lesson in how to breathe new life into classics such as “Giant Steps” and “Theme for Ernie,” give the hard-bop tradition a new edge on tunes such as Archie Shepp’s “Ujamma,” Garzone’s “Mingus That I Knew,” and the contrafact “It Will Happen to You,” while taking the time and care to recognize others on “To Michael Brecker.” Listen and learn with Themes for Good Friends.