Boon Bestowed
Ravello, 2024
8/10
The debut album from the Indianapolis saxophonist Cecily Terhune, the themes of heroism unfold here with Carly Hood also on sax, and the 7 diverse pieces each come from different composers.
“La Dernière Nuit”, by David Salleras, starts the listen with both calm and adventurous moments between Terhune’s alto sax and Hood’s bari sax, and Gregory Wanamaker’s “Zippy!” follows with the dual sax prowess bringing a colorful and upbeat appeal.
“Six Riffs After Ovid” arrives in the middle, and offers rhythmic and unpredictable ideas thanks to Terhune’s lively versus intimate soprano saxophone in the Michael Daugherty piece, while the dancing progressions of Jim Rhinehart’s “Peppercorn Suite” possess much melody and character.
Arriving near the end, the solo soprano sax of “Flight Mode” has Terhune emitting much warm and eloquence via Rachel Scott’s vision, and the title track, courtesy of Katie Madonna Lee and Cecily Terhune, spotlights Terhune playing alto, soprano and bari sax in the rumbling and mesmerizing finish.
A highly unique record that illustrates tremendous diversity with the sax, Terhune and Hood deliver a chamber listen that makes an immediate and lasting impression.
Travels well with: Jeff Sigfried/Sean Friar- Shades; David Therrien Brongo- Confluence