Personnel:
Mike Mainieri (vib), Michael Brecker (ts), Eliane Elias (p), Eddie Gomez (b), Peter Erskine (d)
Reference: TDJ-21
This is a very special performance by one of the most popular jazz groups of the early 80s. Taped amidst the works of Rodin, Thorvaldsen and countless Roman sculptures, the band plays in the atrium of this world famous sculpture museum - the NY Carlsberg Glyptotek. It was a comfortable, inspiring location for the musicians and the tracks were personally mixed by the band leader Mike Mainieri.
STEPS AHEAD is an interesting amalgamation of unique and diversely talented musicians. Eddie Gomez is perhaps best known as a longtime member of the Bill Evans Trio, where he always provided sensitive support and powerful technical mastery. Gomez also has many classical credits to his name. Michael Brecker is an awesomely capable saxophonist who is widely respected in musician circles and much in demand as a recording studio performer. He has appeared on over 1000 albums, one hundred of which have gone Gold, but he also is one the leaders of the Brecker Brothers band, along with his brother - the superb trumpet player Randy Brecker. The pianist, then 18 years old and on her first professional tour as a musician, is the Brazilian Eliane Elias. Later on, she married Randy Brecker, whom she recorded with often, and became a leader. Peter Erskine is best known as a longtime drummer for the immensely popular Weather Report, but he too has played on countless recordings and has been a leader.
The excellent vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri, leads this fine group, contributing many compositions himself. But Mainieri obviously respects and admires his musicians and he draws the best out of their varied talents. So sit back and enjoy this extremely well recorded performance by one of the freshest jazz bands of the early 80s.
