Even though late-night jazz in New York City is not the same as it was during the heyday of 52nd Street, there is still plenty of it in the air, with its special one-of-a-kind excitement. Bass player Tom Brigandi, a graduate of the Chuck Mangione Quartet, works hard to capture the style and mood of the big city after dark with a play list well mixed with standards and original material. The mood is intensified by the presence of stellar musicians on the set along with the bass player. Tenor Eric Alexander stakes his claim as one of the major figures on the CD with a strong, driving hard bop solo on Mangione's "Brooks Brothers." "Secret Love" finds Alexander in a somewhat mellower mood at the outset, before he and the group engage in a nine-plus minute improvisational exploration of the nooks and corners of the 1953 Academy Award winner, with Dino Losito's Dodo Marmarosa-like boppish piano stylings getting plenty of play. Brigandi gets a chance to show his seamless bass talent on the album's coda, "Easy to Love," and an especially lilting Paul Chambers piece, "Beauteous," where his work is underscored by the drums of Danny D'Imperio. In addition to outstanding solo work, the arrangements are such that this quintet sounds considerably larger than it actually is. If you have a yen for a no holds barred hard-blowing session, Late Night New York would be a perfect addition to your collection. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
Joe "Hardcore" Carello (Sax (Baritone)), Tom Brigandi (Producer), Danny D'Imperio (Producer), Joe "Hardcore" Carello (Sax (Alto)), Eric Alexander (Sax (Tenor)), Dino Losito (Piano), Garin Baker (Cover Art), Danny D'Imperio (Drums), Kent Heckman (Engineer), Tom Brigandi (Bass (Acoustic)), Tom Brigandi (Bass)
