Gratitude
Saxophonist/flutist/bass clarinetist Chris Potter played with a lot of musicians in the 1990s--fromRenee Rosnesto Grammy winnersSteely Dan. On his first CD for Verve, he's backed by drummerBrian Blade, bassistScott Colley, and keyboardist Kevin Hays, and the leader pays tribute to the great saxmasters of jazz with his muscular tenor tones and snaky soprano lines. "The Source" is a second-line-tempo take onJohn Coltrane's "sheets of sound." "Shadow" is a moody look atJoe Henderson, and the "saxophone colossus,"Sonny Rollins, is heralded on the Latin-tinged "Sun King."Coleman Hawkins's "Body and Soul" comes courtesy of Potter's bass clarinet, andOrnette Coleman's "Vox Humana" gets an Asian-toned flute treatment. Potter's love letter to his elders is music to our ears.--Eugene Holley Jr.