''Beatitudes'' is an album by saxophonist and composer

Bobby Watson Robert Watson, Bob Watson, or Bobby Watson may refer to: Politics * Robert Spence Watson (1837–1911), English solicitor, reformer, politician and writer * Robert James Watson (1846–1931), Canadian parliamentarian * Robert Watson (Canadian po ...

and double bassist

Curtis Lundy Curtis Lundy (born October 1, 1955) is an American double bass player, composer, producer, choir director and arranger. Lundy is best known for his work as part of jazz vocalist Betty Carter's band. He is the brother of vocalist Carmen Lundy, w ...

. It was recorded on April 11, 1983, at

Van Gelder Studio The Van Gelder Studio is a recording studio at 445 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States. Following the use of his parents' home at 25 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, for the original studio, Rudy Van Gelder (1924 ...

in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was released on vinyl later that year by New Note Records. In 1997, the album was reissued on CD by

Evidence Music Evidence Music is an American jazz and blues record label founded in 1992 by Howard Rosen and Jerry Gordon. The label's name comes from the song "Evidence" by Thelonious Monk. The label's first releases were reissues of Sun Ra albums from the ca ...

. On the album, which features five Watson originals, a Lundy composition, and

Gigi Gryce Gigi Gryce (born George General Grice Jr.; November 28, 1925 – March 17, 1983), later in life changing his name to Basheer Qusim, was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and educator. While his performing ...

's "

Minority Minority may refer to: Politics * Minority government, formed when a political party does not have a majority of overall seats in parliament * Minority leader, in American politics, the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative b ...

", Watson and Lundy are joined by pianist

Mulgrew Miller Mulgrew Miller (August 13, 1955 – May 29, 2013) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. As a child he played in churches and was influenced on piano by Ramsey Lewis and then Oscar Peterson. Aspects of their styles remained in his ...

and drummer Kenny Washington.

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

Scott Yanow Scott Yanow (born 1954) is an American jazz reviewer, historian, and author. Life and career Yanow was born in New York City and grew up near Los Angeles. Beginning in 1974, Yanow was a regular reviewer of many jazz styles and was the jazz e ...

wrote: "Watson already had a distinctive sound at this early stage and his solos in the advanced hard bop setting are enthusiastic and fairly original." Sid Gribetz of ''

JazzTimes ''JazzTimes'' was an American print magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade ...

'' stated: "The music here is crackling and sharp... Watson plays with a deep strong tone and an attack full of verve and bite... Lundy was at that time already a long-term associate of Watson's, and their empathy is evident on the recording... the songs are more than just tunes to blow on-they are lyrical and coherent, lending to fine playing that remains memorable."

Track listing

# "To See Her Face" (Bobby Watson) – 5:55 # "Karita" (Bobby Watson) – 6:25 # "Jewel" (Bobby Watson) – 6:03 # "E.T.A." (Bobby Watson) – 3:31 # "

" (

) – 3:46 # "Orange Blossom" (Curtis Lundy) – 8:00 # "Beatitudes" (Bobby Watson) – 8:22 ;Additional tracks on CD reissue: # "On the One" (Bobby Watson) – 4:19 # "Karita (alternate take)" (Bobby Watson) – 7:26 # "To See Her Face (alternate take)" (Bobby Watson) – 5:28

Personnel

– alto saxophone *

– double bass *

– piano * Kenny Washington – drums

References

{{Reflist 1983 albums Bobby Watson albums Curtis Lundy albums Albums recorded at Van Gelder Studio Evidence Music albums