A titan on the trombone and a consistent Down Beat Poll Winner, Steve Turre offers a scintillating homage to Rahsaan Roland Kirk on The Spirits Up Above with three-horn arrangements of eight Kirk originals and one by the leader. Turre's sextet embodies Kirk's freewheeling spirit and effervescence. "The rhythm section are all masters, swinging with fire and depth" Turre notes, referring to A-listers Mulgrew Miller, Buster Williams and Winard Harper. The horn section is also steeped in the Kirk tradition, with Vincent Herring's alto and James Carter's tenor joining Turre's robust trombone in the front line. Flute virtuoso Dave Valentin is also on hand for a special guest appearance. Replete with the creative spirit and deep passion that defined Kirk's sui generis tonal personality, The Spirits Up Above is a worthy evocation of the Roland Kirk experience as refracted through the creative genius of Steve Turre.

With: Vincent Herring- saxophones; James Carter- saxophones; Mulgrew Miller- piano; Buster Williams- bass; Winard Harper- drums; Dave Valentin- flute

Tracks: Three for the Festival; One for Kirk; Sereande to a Cuckoo; Bright Moments; Stepping Into Beauty; The Spirits Up Above; Hand Full of Five; E.D.; Dorthaan's Walk; Volunteered Slavery.

One For Kirk

Hand Full Of Five

E.D.

Dorthaan's Walk