Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames

Project Encore, Vol. 2

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to Project Encore, Vol. 2

The esteemed saxophonist Timothy McAllister and intimitable pianist Liz Ames come together for these newly commissioned works by some of today’s best composers.

Wynton Marsalis’ “Book Book Nova” opens the listen with 3 segments, where the expressive keys and rich sax interact with grace and warmth, and “McAllister’s Ceilidh”, by Adam Silverman, follows with the playful keys and flowing sax radiating a frisky energy.

In the middle, Jennifer Higdon’s “A Fine Line” carries a cinematic quality thanks to the animated keys and colorful wind, while “The Spaces Between” showcases a very adventurous mood via the firm keys and swirling sax prowess in the Andrew Bishop piece.

Further along, Iman Habibi’s “Sulfuric Rivers” comes with plenty of emotion in its poetic and cautious landscape, and Gregory Wanamaker’s “Coda For World Peace” exits with intimacy and a soothing nature to the stirring finish.

An extremely detailed effort that touches on jazz and classical ideas, there’s rhythm and harmonies to enjoy amid the duo’s introspective, haunting and lively presence.

Travels well with: Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames- Project Encore, Vol 1; Anna Rubin- Powehi