The title cut of this Ascent LP is an emotional farewell to Charles Mingus. The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band (which during the era mostly recorded for the co-leaders' Ascent label) is in superb form throughout the date. They also perform "After Mr. Teng" (a stomp based on the chords of "Strike Up the Band"), "Song for the Harvest," the Latin-flavored "Shades of Yellow" and "Autumn Sea" (a ballad feature for Tabackin's Asian-sounding flute). Among the many soloists are Akiyoshi (taking an opening piano solo on "After Mr. Teng"), trumpeter Steve Huffsteter, both Tabackin and John Gross on tenors (they engage in a heated battle on "After Mr. Teng"), and altoist Dan Higgins. This LP, as with all of this band's Ascent releases, is well worth searching for. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. After Mr. Teng
2. Song for the Harvest
3. Shades of Yellow
4. Autumn Sea
5. Farewell (To Mingus)
GARY FOSTER alto saxophone, clarinet
DAN HIGGINS alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone
TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI piano
BILL BYRNE baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone
BOB BWMAN bass
STEVE HOUGHTON drums
JOHN GROSS tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone
LEW TABACKIN tenor saxophone, flute
BRUCE FOWLER trombone
HART SMITH trombone
RICK CULVER trombone
BUDDY CHILDERS trumpet
LARRY FORD trumpet
MIKE PRICE trumpet
STEVEN HUFFSTETER trumpet
All music composed and arranged by Toshiko Akiyoshi
Recorded January 10 and 11, 1980 at Devonshire Recording Studio, Los Angeles
Baystate B20D-47006. Japan