Danny Raycraft – Live at Cafe Ornithology

Danny Raycraft’s Live at Cafe Ornithology captures the energy, spontaneity, and deep swing of a rising tenor saxophone voice performing in one of New York City’s premier jazz venues. Recorded live in Brooklyn, this intimate quartet session showcases Raycraft’s soulful, hard-swinging approach to the tenor saxophone, rooted firmly in the traditions of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and Billy Harper.

A graduate of William Paterson University, where he studied with jazz masters Vince Herring, Rich Perry, Harold Mabern, and Mulgrew Miller, Raycraft brings a deep understanding of the jazz tradition while maintaining a personal and contemporary voice. Backed by an exceptional rhythm section featuring the ever-edgy Oscar Williams II on piano, backed by veterans Gandharva Earl Sauls on bass, and drummer Mark Johnson, the quartet delivers inspired performances of beloved standards and modern jazz classics.

The repertoire ranges from the Broadway charm of “If I Were a Bell” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” to Freddie Hubbard’s enduring masterpiece “Up Jumped Spring,” alongside heartfelt interpretations of “My Ship,” “I’ll Remember April,” and “Just You, Just Me.” Throughout the recording, Raycraft demonstrates the qualities that have earned praise from fellow musicians and audiences alike: a sound that is both soulful and swinging.

Live at Cafe Ornithology is a snapshot of a young artist carrying forward the straight-ahead jazz tradition while adding his own voice to the continuing story of New York jazz.

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1. If I Were A Bell (Frank Loesser){11:42}

2. Up Jumped Spring (Freddie Hubbard){12:50}

3. I Want To Talk About You (Billy Eckstine){11:14}

4. I’ve Never Been In Love Before (Frank Loesser) {10:41}

5. I’ll Remember April (DePaul/Johnston/Raye){8:58}

6. My Ship (Kurt Weill) {10:53}

7. Just You, Just Me (Grant/Klages){7:10}

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Personnel:

Danny Raycraft: tenor saxophone

Oscar Williams II, Piano

Gandharva Earl Sauls, Bass

Mark Johnson, Drums

Recorded by Danny Raycraft

Live at Cafe Ornithology

Brooklyn, NY

May 20 2025

Mixed and Mastered by Joey “G-Clef” Cavaseno