Fountain of Youth Walt Weiskopf

• 1 Backstage Blues 05:24
• 2 Close Enough For Love 04:43
• 3 Petal 04:24
• 4 How Are Things In Glocca Morra? 05:52
• 5 Loose Lips 05:40
• 6 Echos Of The Quiet Past 04:59
• 7 Laura 04:56
• 8 Young And Foolish 07:05
• 9 Hot Dog Days 04:16
• 10 Heads In The Clouds 06:05
• 11 Double Date 05:53
• Total Runtime 59:17

Info for Fountain of Youth

Saxophonist Walt Weiskopf unleashes a wellspring of creativity for his fourth release for Posi-Tone on the aptly entitled "Fountain of Youth." Also along with Weiskopf for the journey are a familiar crew of accomplished collaborators including vibraphonist Behn Gillece, pianist Peter Zak, bassist Mike Karn, and drummer Steve Fidyk. With a program of exciting original compositions and a few tasty covers, the whole session swings into action and shines with bright moments. Weiskopf has clearly advanced to another level of compositional mastery and effortless virtuosity with this tour-de-force performance. This new album clearly encourages us to enjoy the wondrous discovery of sounds and secrets from this "Fountain of Youth.”

The tones and textures on this album are sometimes beefy, sometimes airy, thanks to a mix of instruments and players that jell well: Tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, a longtime Steely Dan sideman, is joined by vibraphonist Behn Gillece, pianist Peter Zak, bassist Mike Karn and drummer Steve Fidkyk.

The quintet offers inspired bop-driven originals, frequently showcasing Weiskopf’s muscular but agile playing, starting with his “Backstage Blues” and continuing with his multicolor, meter-shifting “Petal,” floaty ballad “Loose Lips,” the uptempo “Echoes of the Quiet Past” and another bluesy tune, “Hot Dog Days.”

Weiskopf also turns in fresh arrangements of tunes by others, including a lovely “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” a nifty “Laura,” and a sprawling, after-midnight take on the standard, “Young and Foolish.”

"A “fountain of youth” indeed, which would render even the 16th century conquistador Ponce De Leon proud. A profound listen that refreshes. Grab it." (londonjazznews.com)

"Fountain Of Youth has the energy and enthusiasm of someone striving to make his mark, but with the discernment of the accomplished veteran that Weiskopf is." (somethingelsereviews.com)

Walt Weiskopf, saxophone
Behn Gillece, vibraphone
Peter Zak, piano
Mike Karn, bass
Steve Fidyk, drums

Walt Weiskopf
Saxophonist, composer and author Walt Weiskopf began his New York career performing with the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1981 at the age of 21. Since then, he has made an impressive mark as both a leader and sideman with 20 critically-acclaimed CDs and countless sideman credits, including performing and recording with Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald.

A dynamic player with enormous technical prowess, Walt is equally well regarded as a composer. His recordings as leader contain predominantly original work with unique interpretations of standards always in the mix. Walt’s seven books on jazz improvisation are among the most respected in the field. Whether for quartet, nonet, or any configuration in between, Walt’s compositions and arrangements have attracted fans and critical notice.

Simplicity (Criss Cross Jazz-1993), met with immediate success. It was number one on Eurojazz radio for four straight weeks and inspired Mel Martin of Saxophone Journal to write: “Walt Weiskopf’s prime influence as a player appears to be John Coltrane, but he is no slavish imitator. He gets to musical matters in a powerful and positive way, asserting a definite viewpoint… He displays much technical accomplishment, yet makes it sound basic and accessible.”

Walt’s Song for My Mother (Criss Cross Jazz-1996), was awarded four stars in Downbeat Magazine. Bret Primack of Jazz Central Station listed Song for My Mother as one of the ten best jazz albums of 1997 and Crusader Magazine chose this recording as its number one Jazz Pick of the Year.

Walt’s subsequent recordings, from A World Away in 1994 (Criss Cross Jazz) to the most recent Fountain Of Youth (Posi-tone-2017), have also caused a critical stir.

In the September 1997 issue of JazzTimes, Bill Milkowski counted Walt among his “five most underrated players;” by 2000, Milkowski found that Walt had fulfilled his early promise, and is “…a major talent…a monster tenor saxophonist as well as a prolific composer and accomplished arranger.” Blaine Fallis’ review of Open Road (Posi-tone 2015) in All About Jazz said “Weiskopf is freed up to take off on an improvisatory spectacle that paints the story of his great talent.” About his most recent offering, a 2017 review in the New York City Jazz Record stated “…Fountain of Youth (Posi-tone 2017) could only have come from someone with broad experience in music and life…Weiskopf understands it all.”

This album contains no booklet.