SEBASTIAN WHITTAKER & THE CREATORS One for Bu!!

Tight ensemble work, a variety of hard- swinging tempos and marvelous musician- ship make this homage to late drummer Art Blakey (nicknamed “Bu” by colleagues), the superior head-nodding jazz you yearn for. Whittaker, an in-the-pocket drummer in the style of Blakey, Kicks off an exciting mix of ten well-arranged standards and originals with his notable swinger, “Canino Road.” From that point, Whittaker and the Creators never falter. Whittaker is a dazzling melodic, polyrhythmic drummer. He is powerful, yet does not overpower his side- men. He spurs them on to their best by creating excitement, even at slower tempos.

Giving {and grooving} their best, alto sax- man Jesse Davis, Shelley Carroll {tenor sax, clarinet, flute}, James Lakey {trombone & musical director}, Jacky Terrasson {piano}, Barrie Lee Hall {trumpet}, David Craig {acoustic bass}, and G.T. Hogan {addi- tional drums} help make this an excep- tional album that should make Blakey fans bow their heads in remembrance. Nancy Ann Lee