''Straight Up'' is the debut album by tenor saxophonist
Eric Alexander. It was recorded in 1992 and released by
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an American jazz and blues independent record label. It was founded in 1958 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when then owner, and founder, Bob Koester released a recordi ...
.
Recording and music
The album was recorded at Riverside Studio, Chicago, on August 21–22, 1992.
[''Eric Alexander: Straight Up'' (CD liner notes). Delmark Records. Delmark 461.] The five musicians are tenor saxophonist
Eric Alexander, trumpeter
Jim Rotondi
James Robert Rotondi (born 28 August 1962) is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, and conductor.
The youngest of five siblings, Rotondi was born in Butte, Montana. He played in New York City for twenty years before moving ...
, pianist
Harold Mabern
Harold Mabern Jr. (March 20, 1936 – September 17, 2019) was an American jazz pianist and composer, principally in the hard bop, post-bop, and soul jazz fields.Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007) ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz''. p. 42 ...
, bassist
John Webber
John Webber (6 October 1751 – 29 May 1793) was an English artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third Pacific expedition. He is best known for his images of Australasia, Hawaii and Alaska.
Biography
Webber was born in London, educated ...
, and drummer George Fludas.
Release and reception
''Straight Up'' was released by
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an American jazz and blues independent record label. It was founded in 1958 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when then owner, and founder, Bob Koester released a recordi ...
.
It was Alexander's first album as leader.
The
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
reviewer wrote that Alexander "has a full, bright, impressive tone, excellent facility and command of the instrument and is steadily developing a personal sound. While the tracks vary in quality, most are at worst competent and at best outstanding."
Track listing
#"Straight Up" (Eric Alexander) – 8:24
#"What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand) – 8:25
#"Be My Love" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn) – 7:49
#"Blues Waltz" (Ray Charles) – 8:05
#"Laura" (Johnny Mercer, David Raksin) – 8:02
#"An Oscar for Treadwell" (Charlie Parker) – 7:21
#"The End of a Love Affair" (Edward Redding) – 8:08
#"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) – 7:57
Personnel
*
Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone
*
Jim Rotondi
James Robert Rotondi (born 28 August 1962) is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, and conductor.
The youngest of five siblings, Rotondi was born in Butte, Montana. He played in New York City for twenty years before moving ...
– trumpet
*
Harold Mabern
Harold Mabern Jr. (March 20, 1936 – September 17, 2019) was an American jazz pianist and composer, principally in the hard bop, post-bop, and soul jazz fields.Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007) ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz''. p. 42 ...
– piano
*
John Webber
John Webber (6 October 1751 – 29 May 1793) was an English artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third Pacific expedition. He is best known for his images of Australasia, Hawaii and Alaska.
Biography
Webber was born in London, educated ...
– bass
*George Fludas – drums
References
{{Authority control
1992 albums
Delmark Records albums
Eric Alexander (jazz saxophonist) albums