Saxophonist Walter Smith III Releases New Single “Casual – Lee” ft. Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, Kendrick Scott | LISTEN!

WALTER SMITH III SHARES NEW SINGLE “CASUAL – LEE”
FEATURING BRANFORD MARSALIS, RON CARTER & KENDRICK SCOTT

SAXOPHONIST REPRISES HIS TWIO CONCEPT WITH MARCH 6
RELEASE OF HIS THIRD BLUE NOTE ALBUM TWIO, VOL. 2

SMITH CELEBRATES THE RELEASE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
MARCH 10-15 WITH A STACKED LINE-UP OF SPECIAL GUESTS

On March 6, Walter Smith III reprises his acclaimed Twio concept with the long-awaited release of Twio, Vol. 2, a 10-track set of classic jazz songs that exudes a playful sense of joyful freedom. Today, the saxophonist shares the second single to be revealed from the album, “Casual – Lee,” which features special appearances by two bucket list guests—bassist Ron Carter and saxophonist Branford Marsalis—along with Kendrick Scott on drums.

When Marsalis joins the frontline, two of jazz’s finest saxophonists engage in the delicate balance of sparring and mutual support that defines the most musical tenor-battle encounters. “Casual – Lee” is a Smith composition that lays a new melody atop the harmony to one of his favorite standards, “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon).”

Of Marsalis, Smith says, “That’s my guy from the time I got serious about playing saxophone.” Carter is also a personal and musical hero to Smith, who remarks on how accommodating but also collaborative the famously prolific bassist was during the sessions. “Ron’s input is like, ‘Don’t just play what you want. Listen to what I’m doing,’” says Smith. “’I have some ideas that may take you in different directions.’”

Smith ranks among the most impressive saxophonists of our time, equally powerful and articulate. As an improviser, he suggests how jazz can continue to evolve in the most organic, authentic way possible; he’s thoroughly of this moment but steeped in the wisdom he’s gained through working with giants. Over the past two decades, he’s come of age with a generation of masterful players who double as visionary composers, writing modern, ambitious original music.

But sometimes Smith and his colleagues just want to play. No fuss, no multi-page scores, no intensive rehearsals. Sometimes, they’d rather grab a bunch of smart, durable tunes they grew up loving and go to work. That’s the spirit behind Twio, Vol. 2—featuring a core trio of Smith, Scott and bassist Joe Sanders—which is available to pre-order now on vinyl, CD, or digital download along with a special merch offering on the Blue Note Store.

Photo Credit: Travis Bailey

Blue Note Records