Jaki Byard with Strings! is an album by pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label.Prestige Records discography accessed July 27, 2012 It is a sextet recording, with George Benson (guitar), Ray Nance (violin and vocals), Ron Carter (cello), Richard Davis (double bass), and Alan Dawson (drums and vibraphone).
Music Critic Gary Giddins commented that, "a few complicated arrangements notwithstanding, this album is mostly an upbeat jam".Giddins, Gary (2004) Weather Bird: Jazz at the Dawn of Its Second Century, p. 224. Oxford University Press. One of the complicated arrangements was "Cat's Cradle Conference Rag" – each of five musicians "play five standards based on similar harmonies simultaneously".Giddins, Gary (1985) Rhythm-a-ning: Jazz Tradition and Innovation in the 1980s, p. 7. Oxford University Press. With the drummer added, these were: "Take the A Train" (Byard); "Jersey Bounce" (Nance); "Darktown Strutters' Ball" (Benson); "Intermission Riff" (Davis); "Desafinado" (Carter); and "Ring Dem Bells" (Dawson).
Reception
Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars with its review by Scott Yanow, stating, "The repertoire includes a jammed version of "How High the Moon," a couple of tricky Byard originals and the then-current pop tune "Music to Watch Girls By." But more significant than the songs is the playing by the distinctive musicians who almost make the band sound like a regular group rather than a one-time get-together".Yanow, S. Allmusic Review, accessed July 26, 2012 Giddins was also positive; he picked out Ray Nance's solo on "How High the Moon": it "ranks with the one he recorded on Dizzy Gillespie's "Lover Come Back to Me" as the best work of his later years".Giddins, Gary (1985) Rhythm-a-ning: Jazz Tradition and Innovation in the 1980s, p. 6. Oxford University Press.
Track listing All compositions by Jaki Byard except as indicated "Music to Watch Girls By" (Sid Ramin) – 3:44 "Falling Rains of Life" – 7:56 "Cat's Cradle Conference Rag" – 11:47 "How High the Moon" (Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis) – 14:17 "Ray's Blues" – 6:47
Personnel Jaki Byard – piano, organ George Benson – guitar Ray Nance – violin, vocals Ron Carter – cello Richard Davis – bass Alan Dawson – drums, vibraphone
References
Further reading Williams, Martin T. (1991) Jazz in Its Time, pp. 147–159. Oxford University Press. Contains a detailed description of the recording session by someone who was present.