Description
Don Cherry – Art Deco – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on October 31, 1989, Don Cherry’s Art Deco is a jazz album that brilliantly balances tradition with innovation, showcasing the legendary trumpeter’s deep roots in bebop and free jazz while highlighting his adventurous spirit. After spending much of the 1970s and 1980s exploring world music and avant-garde improvisation, Art Deco marked a return to a more classic jazz sound, with Cherry revisiting standards, ballads, and hard bop while still injecting his unique, experimental sensibilities into the mix.
Joining Cherry on Art Deco is an outstanding ensemble of musicians, including James Clay on tenor saxophone, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. These three players, all of whom had deep connections to Cherry’s past—particularly with Ornette Coleman’s groundbreaking work—bring an incredible level of interplay and musical chemistry to the album. Together, they create a vibrant, cohesive record that pays homage to the jazz tradition while pushing its boundaries.
By the late 1980s, Don Cherry had become one of jazz’s most forward-thinking musicians. Known for his groundbreaking work with Ornette Coleman in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Cherry was a key figure in the development of free jazz, helping to shape a sound that rejected traditional chord changes and embraced collective improvisation. Throughout the 1970s, Cherry’s focus shifted to world music, where he incorporated influences from African, Indian, and Middle Eastern music into his work, creating a highly eclectic and global sound.
However, Art Deco saw Cherry revisiting the bebop and hard bop traditions of his early career, though with the same open-mindedness and flexibility that had always defined his playing. The album captures Cherry returning to jazz standards, mixing both original compositions and classic tunes, while allowing his avant-garde instincts to remain present. It is an album that, while steeped in tradition, avoids feeling nostalgic or overly reverential.
The sound of Art Deco is rooted in the bebop and hard bop traditions, with tight, swinging rhythms and sophisticated harmonies, but it is also infused with the freedom and openness that Cherry brought from his free jazz and world music experiences. The interplay between the musicians is fluid and spontaneous, yet grounded in the structures of the songs they are playing. Cherry’s bright, piercing trumpet tone leads the ensemble, while Haden’s bass and Higgins’ drums provide a strong, flexible foundation.
Many tracks on Art Deco pay homage to the bebop era, with quick tempos, intricate melodies, and tight rhythmic interplay. Cherry’s phrasing, particularly on songs like “When Will the Blues Leave?” and “Art Deco”, recalls the bebop style he grew up playing, though his improvisations remain open and unpredictable.
Cherry’s trumpet playing is both lyrical and exploratory. On slower tracks like “Body and Soul”, Cherry stretches out melodically, weaving beautiful, introspective lines while still maintaining a sense of harmonic exploration. His improvisations are emotionally rich, and he often allows the melody to shine through his improvisational ideas.
Having played with Ornette Coleman early in his career, Cherry brings elements of Coleman’s free jazz philosophy into Art Deco, particularly in terms of group interplay and harmonic freedom. Tracks like “The Blessing” and “Mopti” feature moments of collective improvisation, where the musicians interact freely with one another, creating a sense of musical conversation rather than simply taking turns soloing.
Thematically, Art Deco reflects Cherry’s dual commitment to both honoring the jazz tradition and pushing its boundaries. The album’s title itself—Art Deco—can be seen as a metaphor for this balance, referencing a design style that was both elegant and forward-looking. Throughout the record, Cherry and his bandmates navigate between these two poles, drawing on the blues, standards, and bebop while allowing themselves the freedom to improvise and explore.
Many of the tracks on Art Deco pay homage to jazz standards and the jazz greats who came before. Songs like “Body and Soul” and “Art Deco” reflect Cherry’s deep respect for the history of jazz, while his reinterpretations of these tunes show his desire to add something new and personal to the tradition.
While the album is rooted in the jazz canon, Cherry’s avant-garde sensibilities are never far from the surface. Tracks like “The Blessing”, written by Ornette Coleman, showcase a looser, more exploratory approach to harmony and rhythm, with the band playing off one another in a fluid, freewheeling manner.
Notable Tracks
“Art Deco”: The title track is a lively, hard bop composition that showcases Cherry’s lyrical trumpet playing. The melody is catchy and bright, while the improvisations remain inventive and spontaneous. Cherry’s playing is buoyed by Higgins’ swinging drumming and Haden’s solid bassline, creating a sense of forward momentum throughout the track.
“When Will the Blues Leave?”: This Ornette Coleman composition is one of the album’s standout tracks. Cherry’s trumpet is sharp and expressive, and the group’s tight, swinging rhythm drives the tune. The track features playful, exploratory solos from Cherry and Clay, as well as dynamic interaction between the musicians.
“Body and Soul”: Cherry’s interpretation of this jazz standard is deeply emotional and lyrical. His trumpet lines are delicate yet expressive, conveying a sense of vulnerability and introspection. The ballad provides a moment of calm and reflection in the midst of the album’s more upbeat tracks, showcasing Cherry’s ability to bring emotional depth to his playing.
“Mopti”: This track, a Cherry original, features a looser, more world music-inspired groove, reflecting Cherry’s interest in global rhythms. The tune has a driving, rhythmic intensity, with Higgins and Haden locking into a groove while Cherry and Clay explore the melody with freer, more abstract improvisation.
Art Deco was widely praised upon its release for its masterful balance of tradition and innovation. Critics appreciated Cherry’s return to more structured, straight-ahead jazz while still retaining the adventurous spirit that had always defined his work. The chemistry between Cherry, Haden, Clay, and Higgins was particularly lauded, with many noting the album’s sense of joy and spontaneity.
The album has since become one of Cherry’s most celebrated late-career releases, offering a glimpse of his versatility as both a traditional and avant-garde jazz artist. It also stands as a testament to the enduring power of the jazz quartet format, with each musician contributing equally to the overall sound while leaving space for individual expression.
Art Deco is a beautiful example of Don Cherry’s ability to bridge the gap between jazz’s past and future. The album offers a refined, joyous exploration of bebop, hard bop, and avant-garde jazz, with Cherry’s lyrical trumpet playing at the forefront. Supported by a stellar rhythm section, Cherry revisits jazz standards and original compositions with a sense of curiosity and freedom that keeps the music fresh and exciting.
For fans of both traditional and modern jazz, Art Deco is a must-listen. It showcases Don Cherry’s remarkable versatility as a musician and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz while staying grounded in its rich history. The album remains a highlight of his extensive discography and a testament to the power of collaboration between jazz legends.
Verve by Request
Manufactured at Third Man Pressing in Detroit MI
180g Audiophile Quality Vinyl
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Art Deco
When Will The Blues Leave
Body And Soul
Bemsha Swing
Maffy
Folk Medley
The Blessing
Passing
I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face
Compute
