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Lilac 1 on CD

Freddy Washington Jr.. is a mainstay of the St. Louis scene and a mentor to the likes of Oliver Lake and pianist John Hicks. Washington composed two originals ("Lilac 1" and "Sing Song") for this release, supplementing renditions of McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation", Benny Golson's "Stablemates" and John Coltrane's "Crescent". He plays a robust, slightly creamy tenor. His fluid lyricism is mainstream - yet he is at his best when he veers into postbop territory, always maintaining his songful equilibrium. The liner notes call Washington "an exciting master artisan of jazz" - and he lives up to the billing.