Saxophone Quartet Music
Arabesque, 2024
8/10
Listen to Saxophone Quartet Music
The jazz organist and composer/arranger Radam Schwartz pens a colorful listen, where several esteemed players flesh out the 8 melodic and meticulous tracks.
The playful and charming “Let’s Hear It For The Boyz” uses Marcus G. Miller’s soprano sax, Irwin Hall’s alto sax, Anthony Ware’s tenor sax and Max Schweiger’s baritone sax with much fluidity, and “Sway In Rincóin” follows with Misha Josephs’ intricate guitar complementing the swirling sax prowess.
Halfway through, “Half/With These Hands” welcomes Carrie Jackson’s vocals to the rich and soulful climate, while “Validation” is an upbeat and animated album highlight, where the 4 saxophones play off each other with much fun.
Closer to the end, “As Long As You’re Remembered (You’re Still Alive)” benefits much from Andrew Atkinson’s skilled percussion that suits the expressive brass, and “My Ship” exits with a sublime intimacy via the textured and frisky sax manipulation.
Three of the players here are former students of Schwartz, and this atypical setting and his creative mind make for swingin’ sounds, no lack of rhythm and strong attention to tonality.
Travels well with: Foreign Affair Trio- Sous Le Vent; Shawn Maxwell- J Town Suite