Road To Nowhere
OA2, 2023
8/10
The saxophonist Stephen Jones and pianist Ben Haugland bring their inimitable talents to 9 standards and originals, where a very creative approach and fluid interaction characterizes the listen.
“Without A Sound” opens the listen with Jones’ bright sax and Haugland’s flowing keys for the rich, melodic tone, and “Silhouette” follows with Kevin Whalen’s contributions on trumpet that cultivates mesmerizing and exciting jazz textures of warmth.
Halfway through, “Evening Song” radiates a dreaminess that comes with agile keys and reflective sax, while “Autumn In New York” is quite intimate, as much calm beauty from the piano, sax and Whalen’s flugelhorn makes for a stirring album highlight.
Approaching the end, “A Hidden Walk” showcases the tremendous dynamics between the pair’s inimitable deliveries with a very cozy spirit, and “Estaté” exits with elegance and grace between the lovely brass and heart felt keys.
The 5 originals included carry many melodic sensibilities, and the interpretations are full of complicated but easily accessible interaction that will captivates jazz fans from any era.
Travels well with: Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott- East West Trumpet Summit; Michael Bisio/Timothy Hill- Inside Voice/Outside Voice