Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton
Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham may be the eighth wonder of the world. Some seven decades after his debut, the trumpeter (who turns 92 this week) continues to play with clear-toned, ever-soulful grace. Here he has teamed with 23-year-old fellow trumpet maestro Nicholas Payton for an intimate, extremely satisfying set of traditional jazz standards, including Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust," Irving Berlin's "How Deep is the Ocean?" and Fats Waller's "Black and Blue." Cheatham's solos and vocals sparkle with a laid-back charm, while Payton's horn interplays with his mentor's with subtle sympathy, revealing an innate understanding of the music's tender side. The pair have crafted a work sure to pass the test of time. Much like the good doctor himself. (Verve)
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