Personnel: Stanley Clarke (acoustic bass); Hiromi (piano); Lenny White (drums).
Audio Mixer: Michael Bishop .
Audio Remasterer: Michael Bishop .
Liner Note Author: Don Heckman.
Recording information: 12/13/2008/12/14/2008.
Photographer: Robert Hoffman.
When jazz bassist Stanley Clarke began his career, he played chiefly acoustic bass (on recordings with Pharoah Sanders and Chick Corea, for just two examples). While his dexterity with the electric variety is where he achieved renown, Clarke never abandoned his original instrument. JAZZ IN THE GARDEN is a seminal disc in his career--this is the first time Clarke has recorded a session on acoustic bass as a leader. For GARDEN, he is joined by two mates with heavy fusion credentials--drummer Lenny White (from their electric Return To Forever days) and Japanese pianist Hiromi. As much as White can lay down the funky beats, he can also summon brilliant subtlety. And Hiromi can dazzle as brightly as Chick Corea at his most colorful, true, but here she plays with almost folk-like simplicity and lyricism.
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The bass lines to 'Paradigm Shift' and 'Sakura Sakura' are mesmerizing in their simplicity."
Billboard (p.29) - "What's particularly impressive is how lyrical, funky, bluesy and swinging Clarke plays on originals, standards and improvised pieces..."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.91) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "JAZZ IN THE GARDEN combines standards and original tunes to pleasing effect. Listen out for 'Sicilian Blue.'"
