The Theme
Eddie Harris, Les McCann and Jimmy Owens
A reunion highlighted by a fine Eddie Harris solo
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Pianist-singer Les McCann and tenor-saxophonist Eddie Harris (1934-96) made history at the 1968 Montreux Jazz Festival with music that was soon released as the Swiss Movement Lp.
In 1990 they had a reunion at the Northsea Jazz Festival as McCann’s trio with bassist Curtis Robertson and drummer Norman Farington was joined by Harris and trumpeter Jimmy Owens.
On “The Theme” (not the famous bop piece but a newer original), the soothing melody gives way to a typically soulful Harris solo during which he makes some wide interval jumps sound effortless and he playfully quotes a few songs.
Owens also fares well during his expressive solo and McCann has a brief spot before the quintet takes the melody out.
Personnel:
Les McCann, piano
Eddie Harris, tenor
Jimmy Owens, trumpet
Curtis Robertson, bass
Norman Farington, drums
– Scott Yanow
Stan Getz