Duke Pearson was a pianist who later became known for composing, arranging and producing. He toured with singer Nancy Wilson in South America in 1961. While on that trip, he saw the famous towering statue of Christ at Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. As he later wrote, “That sight led me to write ["Cristo Redentor"] right away. I’d never felt that close to religion before.”
He wrote the tune for trumpeter Donald Byrd‘s 1963 album A New Perspective. Byrd’s label, Blue Note, also edited the song down and released it as a single. The song and the album were both very popular at the time.
Byrd, who was the son of a Methodist minister, was trying to integrate spirituals into the jazz idiom. On A New Perspective, he used an eight-voice choir (half male, half female) directed by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson.
Side note: In 1961, while touring with the Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams quintet, Pearson fell ill. Filling in for him for the engagement (at the Birdhouse in Chicago) was a 21-year-old Herbie Hancock, who became his permanent replacement and appears on this track.
Some years ago, I picked up an odd Christmas album on Kent, an L.A.-based gospel label. It was by George Washington Conedy, a member of the Little Zion Baptist Church of Compton, CA. Among the typical Christmas hymns is “Christo Redento,” [sic] which is credited to “Duke Pearson-David Bryant.” I don’t know if that means Bryant did this particular arrangement or why he is listed. There is no date on this album, but I’m guessing (based on a variety of factors) that it’s from the late Sixties.
It’s interesting to compare and contrast a jazz approach to gospel music with a gospel approach to a jazz tune.
Personnel for version one: Donald Byrd (trumpet), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Donald Best (vibes), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Herbie Hancock (piano), Butch Warren (bass), Lex Humphreys (drums), Duke Pearson (arranger), Coleridge Perkinson (vocal director).
Personnel for version two: George Conedy (Hammond organ), Horace “Hawk” Jones (bass), Elliott McKenzie (drums), Joe Youngblood (guitar).
Donald Byrd – Cristo Redentor — BUY
George Conedy – Christo Redento
3 Responses
-
Higgy Says:
This was a stunning post. I enjoyed listening to both versions, but especially the George Conedy. Thank you.
-
G.Ford Says:
Duke Perason composed,arrranged,and produced Christo Redentor while decending on a pam am jet into rio in 1961 along with nancy wilson on a tour date where he was her accompanists on tour.No onelse had anyting to do with writing that song.Not george conedy,donald byrd etc.
-
Imhotep Lamumba Says:
The most touching piece of music i have ever heard its very deep.