Songbook (Kenny Garrett album)

Songbook is the eighth studio album by Kenny Garrett, released in 1997 by Warner Bros. Records. It features Garrett in a quartet consisting of pianist Kenny Kirkland and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts (both known as part of Branford Marsalis’s quartet), and bassist Nat Reeves.

Reception
The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.

In a review for AllMusic, Chris Slawecki wrote: "Always inventive, curious, daring, and exuberant, Garrett's Songbook proves him worthy of the alto legacy that most people... seem to agree he carries, as he demonstrates what sounds like the uncanny ability to play two-faced -- one face looking forward to the freshness of new concepts and creations as yet undiscovered, yet with another face which simultaneously looks back to the fine, fierce alto tradition of Phil Woods and Charlie Parker."

Owen Cordle of JazzTimes noted Garrett's "intense and passionate" sound, and called his sidemen "tough players who create a slashing rhythmic drive." He commented: "there's no doubt about the musical success and capability of these players with any material."

Writing for The Washington Post, Geoffrey Himes stated that, on the album, Garrett "emerges as an imposing composer," and remarked: "The modal improvising, the impressionistic gestures, the willingness to slip in and out of a swinging groove all give the 10 pieces the ability to challenge and surprise."

Billboard's Paul Verna called the album Garrett's "most original and accomplished traditional set to date" and "a muscular, no-filler set," with playing that "ranges from rough, avant-gardish riffery to sweetly keening alto tones."

Personnel
Musicians
 * Kenny Garrett – alto saxophone
 * Kenny Kirkland – piano
 * Nat Reeves – bass
 * Jeff "Tain" Watts – drums

Production
 * Robin Burgess – management, co-producer
 * Joe Ferla – engineer
 * Greg Calbi – engineer (mastering)
 * John Reigart – assistant engineer (recording)
 * Tom Schick – assistant engineer (recording)
 * Ed Raso – assistant engineer (mixing)
 * Stephen Walker – art direction
 * Lenn Irish – photography