Released in 1989 by the noted audiophile label Chesky Records, Portraits is a testament to the prodigious talent of the legendary trumpeter, flugelhornist, and jazz educator Clark Terry. The first of four albums for the Chesky label, Portraits was recorded when the St. Louis-born hornblower, then 68 years old, was a much-venerated jazz elder. By then, he had 35 albums under his belt and boasted a resume that included stellar collaborations with Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Quincy Jones, and Dizzy Gillespie. For Portraits, produced by David Chesky, Terry assembled a quartet comprising pianist Don Friedman, bassist Victor Gaskin, and drummer Lewis Nash. With Terry alternating between flugelhorn and muted trumpet while also showing off his chops as an occasional vocalist, the quartet breezes through a blend of familiar jazz standards, like 'Pennies From Heaven,' and Terry's hard-driving original tune, 'Finger Filibuster,' where he shows off his athletic scat singing. Other highlights include the Louis Armstrong favorite 'When It's Sleepy Time Down South' and 'Sugar Blues,' a nostalgic nod to New Orleans jazz. The album is reissued on SACD Hybrid Stereo in 2025.
