Big UPS to You Tube for providing a forum for so many otherwise unsung heroes. Gerald has however been making his mark from the early '80's. He played sax and bass guitar behind the great but fastidious Anita Baker. Cat had to be virtuosic even since (back) then. Total pro. at entertainment as much as an expert performer on the saxes. Lohvissimo!
One of my favorite Albright tunes, I covered this tune for years. Gerald sounds phenomenal on his Cannonball Alto, Gerald is one of the finest Saxophonists on the planet. Mr. Albright has the fullest tone with impressive intonation and fiery intensity. Exceptional clarity in the Altissimo range, his skills at improvisation are unequivocally the most impressive. I finally met Gerald and ran into Skip Mesquite (Tower of Power and Cold Blood) at NAMM in Anaheim at an old classmates booth, Cannonball Saxophones owned by Tevis Laukat.
The man just blows my ever loving mind! I could listen to this song ALL DAY LONG! We don't hear about our great musicians lately with all the other stuff that's out there, needless to say I don't listen to it! But Roland Martin is having a Celebration, I forget where, but he has this song as the introduction to his celebration because GERALD ALBRIGHT WILL BE PERFORMING, along with other older Great Artists! How I WISH I could ATTEND!
Gerald is so inspiring live!! I've heard him a couple times at this venue in Temecula. The first time I heard him perform was when I was 19 and it was at this small restaurant venue called whiskey creek in Redlands Ca. You could almost reach out and touch him it was awesome. He was touring with some of the guys from Anita Baker's band if I remember correctly. Many people don't know that in addition to being an incredible saxophonist, he is also an accomplished bassist and held that chair with Patrice Rushen and Anita Baker. So amazing.
Gerald is soooo good and he knows it to. I first heard him in the 80's on patrice rushings hit song "forget me knots". I am a 46 year old beginner on the alto sax because of mr albright in detroit, mi. What i love the most is that mr albright had never talked bad about another musician reguardless of their talent or lack of, he always trys to help them get where he is and gives them pointers to make them better.
First time hearing Gerald Albright play other than some 30 second spot in a commercial or all star lineup. A full length performance has made me a fan. Brilliant work. The backup musicians did a great job, and kudos for the sound recording staff. Most performances recorded in this sort of outdoor venue come off as faint, muffled, and with too much background noise.
