Three Story Sandbox

Artful Dodgers

Tall Grass, 2023

9/10

Listen to Artful Dodgers

An outfit comprised of Janice Borla, Scott Robinson and Jack Mouse, these 13 diverse songs also welcome Mark Feldman to a setting that span duos, trios and quartets and a variety of emotions and textures.

“Twin Rivers” begins the listen with Robinson’s bright tenor sax, as Mouse’s wild drumming enters the free jazz spirit, and “Kalahari Crossing” follows with Borla’s expressive, wordless vocals alongside the unpredictable violin from Feldman that complements the African nods.

Halfway through, “Kamakura” finds a mesmerizing place to reside thanks to the playful scatting and the bamboo flute from Robinson’s creative prowess, while “Tears For Ukraine” recruits much ambience and pretty vocal gestures amid quivering strings and strong emphasis on tonality that mirrors the strife in the Ukraine.

Close to the end, the unique picking and adventurous sax of “Slapshot” is quite interesting, and the frisky drums and swift violin of “Fiddle Sticks” carries a unique rhythm thanks to the iconoclastic interplay between the violin and drums.

A listen that turns improvisation into a highly refined science, Three Story Sandbox’s idea of free jazz is universally embraceable and cohesive in ways that defy convention and stimulate the body, mind and soul.

Travels well with: The Moore-McColl Jazz Society- Up And Gone; Steven Snyder Trio- Prime Vintage