Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn

1	Isfahan / Christian McBride 5:59
2	Johnny Come Lately / Christian McBride 6:30
3	Blood Count / Christian McBride 7:19
4	Rain Check / Christian McBride 5:54
5	Lotus Blossom 4:31
6	A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing / Christian McBride 6:58
7	Take the "A" Train / Gregory Hutchinson 7:11
8	Drawing Room Blues / Christian McBride 7:33
9	U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group) / Christian McBride 5:02
10	Lush Life 5:03

Barnes & Noble

Joe Henderson was the comeback kid of the 1990s. After his initial fame as one of the most progressive players of the 1960s and early 70s, this exceptional tenor saxophonist just slipped quietly into the background of the jazz scene. But he continued to play as well as, if not better than ever. As a way of alerting the public to his undiminished gifts, Henderson was featured on a high-profile concept project: a modern tribute to Billy Strayhorn, the brilliant composer and Duke Ellington associate. Flanked by some of the best young players around -- trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Stephen Scott, and drummer Greg Hutchinson -- Henderson displayed his stunning tone and languid, angular phrasing on such Strayhorn gems as "Isfahan," "Rain Check," and "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing." The one-two punch of LUSH LIFE brought Henderson quickly back to the limelight while calling attention once again to Strayhorn's magnificent work. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

With the release of this CD, the executives at Verve and their marketing staff proved that yes, indeed, jazz can sell. The veteran tenor Joe Henderson has had a distinctive sound and style of his own ever since he first entered the jazz major leagues yet he has spent long periods in relative obscurity before reaching his current status as a jazz superstar. As for the music on his "comeback" disc, it does deserve all of the hype. Henderson performs ten of Billy Strayhorn's most enduring compositions in a variety of settings ranging from a full quintet with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and duets with pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson to an unaccompanied solo exploration of "Lush Life." This memorable outing succeeded both artistically and commercially and is highly recommended. Scott Yanow