THE BENNIE MAUPIN
ENSEMBLE
Penumbra
CryptoGramophone
Bennie Maupin is a master of improvisational
music and of the woodwind instruments. He has worked with
some of the most creative musicians and most innovative
ensembles of all time. After working with jazz greats like
Lee Morgan and Horace Silver, Bennie played bass clarinet
on Miles Davis’ groundbreaking Bitches Brew,
providing a dark, unique texture that added to the music’s
overall vibe. He has long been associated with Davis alumnus
Herbie Hancock, playing with Hancock in both his fascinating
Mwandishi Sextet and his funky Headhunters bands. Yet Maupin
remained unknown to the public at large. He has remained
busy as a composer and teacher, and has lately assembled
a new group, The Bennie Maupin Ensemble. Joining Bennie
are bassist Darek Oles, drummer Michael Stephans, and percussionist
Daryl Munyngo Jackson.
With no piano (except Maupin’s piano
work on the final track, “Equal Justice”) to
fill in valuable space, it is left to Maupin and Oles to
comfortably support and challenge each other, while the
drums and percussion provide subtle shading and texture.
Everything from Maupin’s considerable time playing
jazz is here, from the Mwandishi-inspired angular ostinato
patterns of “Neophilia 2006,” the modal approach
of “Walter Bishop Jr.” to the free improvisation
of “Level Three” and the solo tenor sax work
on “Blinkers.” The title track might have come
from a classic mid-60s Yesef Latif album, and Latif has
proven a longstanding, positive influence on Maupin’s
work.
Maupin demonstrates his mastery of woodwind
instruments here, playing bass clarinet, tenor and soprano
saxophones, alto flute, and a bit of piano. His sound on
each instrument is sure, deep, and resonating and it’s
great to hear that Maupin’s playing has in no way
been diminished by advancing age. “Message to Prez”
features some fantastic bass clarinet work, beginning with
a breathy whisper and advancing to a bouncy, calypso inspired
tune that cannot help to bring to mind yet another tenor
saxophonist who has shaped Maupin’s musical personality,
Sonny Rollins.
The ensemble’s intimate sound is captured
well by producer Maupin, executive producer Jeff Gauthier,
and mastering by Rich Been. Kudos as well to the Crypto
Gramophone label, which has put together a beautiful CD
package for this release, one that accords Maupin the respect
that his musical talent deserves. Maupin’s music is
touched with a truly organic feeling, unfolding like a natural
process, as inevitable as tulips blooming or the sun rising.
His take on free improvisation is both gentle and playful
and will not sound jarring to many listeners who generally
don’t enjoy free jazz. This is well thought out, yet
full of spontaneity, and one hopes that Maupin will continue
to hone this particular ensemble configuration for a bit,
so fruitful does it prove on Penumbra. This will
undoubtedly be on many year end best of lists, at least
I’m sure it will be on mine.
