Autumn Leaves – 2024
Emmet Cohen
Featuring trombonist James Morrison
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James Morrison is arguably Australia’s finest jazz musician, a brilliant trombonist and trumpeter who gives one the impression that he can play any brass instrument (and even occasionally a saxophone) in any style.
Appearing on Emmet’s Place with pianist Emmet Cohen, bassist Phillip Norris, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, Morrison begins “Autumn Leaves” with some unaccompanied trombone.
He alternates his middle register playing with the lowest possible notes to the delight of the other smiling musicians.
The music soon gets swinging with Morrison’s wit and his superb technique and range being echoed by Cohen’s assertive and sometimes humorous accompaniment.
Not to be outdone, Emmet Cohen begins his solo quite gently, gradually building in intensity with some fascinating ideas and inventive use of repetition.
The tempo soon doubles resulting in some blazing playing, there is a tradeoff with Farnsworth, and Morrison wraps things up with a closing cadenza.
-Scott Yanow
