Ya Ya Fornier is not exactly a newcomer. Her late husband, Vernell Fornier, was a drummer
long
associated with Ahmad Jamal. Bearcat is the vocalist's first recording, however, and she has
recruited
none other than David Murray, the iconoclastic and enigmatic tenor saxophone player who has
been an American expatriate for the last number of years. The recording is dedicated to another
saxophonist, Clifford Jordan, who composed the title cut, offering both Ms. Fornier and Mr. Murray
ample area in which to ply their respective wares.
Not completely her recording, Fornier strolls while the tenorist devotes his best
David Murray-Ben Webster hybrid sound to Jimmy Heath’s "Voice of the Saxophone."
Also featured is
Jordan’s protégé, alto saxophonist Sue Terry. Ms. Fornier and friends delightfully
deconstruct Ellington’s "I Don’t Get Around Much Any More," lifting the melody deftly from
its established rhythm and thereby setting it free.
Murray provides two originals, the gospel-laden "Live The Life" and the
bluesy "When Monarchs Come to Town." Pianists Craig Taborn and Rod Williams
provide sensitive accompaniment and support, as does the entire rhythm section. Ms. Fornier’s
voice is beautiful; we should be glad that she is no longer hiding it under a basket.
For more information, see
Random Chance Records.
~ C. Michael Bailey
