VINCENT HERRING: Secret Love

Vincent Herring has come into his own. While the influences of Bird, Trane, and most notably Cannonball Adderley are still openly and proudly displayed, it is clearly invalid to say that Vincent sounds like his mentors. As when listening to all the great players before him, it only takes a few notes to make an accurate ID. After two previous quintet and sextet outings, Vincent decided that the classic quartet in the easygoing atmosphere of familiar standards was the order of the day. Only this setting could allow for the joy and relaxed ease of musical statement and intercourse he achieves with the help of a stellar rhythm section comprised of Ira Coleman, the mainstay on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, who gets my vote for the classiest and most sensitive man behind the traps among a current crop lacking little in talent. Renee Rosnes is, I believe, somewhat of a newcomer to Vincent's ken, having played with him on rare occasions. You'd never know it. She is his perfect foil, listening, always listening and answering, always with a perfect, subtle response.