Wish Me Well

(SACD-HYBRID) All but forgotten, Gary McFarland has long been relegated by jazz history to footnote status. For Mark Masters, it was obviously an intimidating task to arrange an arranger's compositions, but has succeeded while paying homage to McFarland and underscoring the music with his own unique style. For anyone already familiar with McFarland's music, this album will be a treat, as it includes three never before recorded compositions. For listeners new to McFarland, this album will be a great introduction. Masters always selects fabulous soloists on his recordings and on this one he enlists trumpeter Tim Hagans, pianist Steve Kuhn, and baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.