Tim Hagans
Alone Together
Piro Records
By George W. Harris

Mostly known for his crystal clear trumpet work with big bands such as Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Marie Schneider and Gil Evans, Tim Hagans has put out very few solo discs the past few years, and judging by this one, it’s been to our loss. This quartet release shows Hagans’ exquisite tone on a well performed collection of originals by pianist Marc Copland and some jazz standards. The mood of Copland’s pieces is in the advanced hard bop vein (think mid 60s Hancock with Freddie Hubbard); mixing aggressive drivers like “See You Again” with floating rhythms of “Not Even The Rain.” The gentle standards spotlight the gorgeous tone of Hagans’ horn, whether the trumpet is open (“You Don’t Know What Love Is”) or muted (“Stella By Starlight”). Either way, it’s nice to hear something new and fresh by one of the forgotten giants of the 70s big band era.