The Philadelphia Heritage Art Ensemble presents ‘Crossing the Bridge 2’

By Suzanne Cloud

Trumpeter/arranger Fred Adams, a Philadelphia musical visionary and long-time member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, has led the Philadelphia Heritage Art Ensemble for many years. His group has mined the compositions of two legendary hard boppers from Philly-trumpeter Lee Morgan and saxophonist Hank Mobley-with wonderful creative results, evident on the group’s newest album, Crossing the Bridge 2.

Fred Adams’s first project, the 2002 album Under the Bridge for the Dreambox label, was an unqualified critical success and featured some of the city’s favorite and finest players. But sadly, some of the musicians involved have since passed away: beloved pianist Sid Simmons, bassists James “Hicks” Glenn and Ed Crockett, and trombonist Clifford Adams.

Clifford Adams lives

But on Crossing the Bridge 2 (now on Heritage Sound), the late Adams (no relation to Fred Adams), a mainstay of Kool and the Gang and the Trenton jazz scene, can be heard again in all his sumptuously smooth trombone glory. Fred Adams saved some tracks the group had recorded with the trombonist and, on this new album, veteran members return, like saxophonist James Stewart and drummer Craig McIver, with newer additions to the band: bassist Lee Smith and pianist Luke Carlos…