While the collaboration is still relatively young, the Hank Jones-Joe Lovano combination has yielded much fruit in recent years. The pianist and tenor saxophonist have recorded two sublime, critically-acclaimed quartet masterworks for Blue Note (I'm All for You Ballad Songbook in 2004 and Joyous Encounter in 2005), as well as toured the world in a quartet setting in support of their newfound musical friendship. Despite the fact that the two artists lead very full lives separate from each other on the road and in the recording studio, they have again reunited on disc, this time as a duo captured at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York for the sumptuous Blue Note album, Kids: Duets Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.
Check out Joe's gigs page for his complete 2008 schedule.
Dennis Irwin, Joe's beloved friend and bassist, passed away on March 10. If you'd like to make an online donation for the Dennis Irvwin Fund to Help Ailing Musicians, please visit a special website that Mike Quinn set up for his long-time friend, Dennis.
Joe has a new CD coming out this August, a live recording with Germany's WDR Big Band. It features Joe's compositions arranged by Mike Abene for a large ensemble.
Joe has been on tour with McCoy Tyner.
Here they are in Budapest on May 1st with Gerald Canon on bass, and the great Eric Gravatt on drums.
On June 4, Telarc Records will release the 2nd Saxophone Summit recording, Seraphic Light.
"Paul Motion is one of the most creative improvisers in this music. Playing in the world of music is what I've learned over and over from him. " Joe Lovano