Second Nature
Despite all his efforts, alto saxophonist Jesse Davis hasn't cracked the marquee in the U.S. market for jazz musicians in their 30s.Second Natureis his seventh recording, and it's also one that begs for more widespread consumption. Its title might refer to the music of a touring band, the sounds of four musicians unpacking and playing music they know thoroughly, tunes that aren't bogged down by intricate architecture and that serve as springboards for loose, fun jamming. Davis's band this time out is his Italian road unit: pianist Massimo Farao, drummer Massimo "Max" Dall'omo, and bassist Aldo Zunino. Their sound is confident and inventive enough to openSecond Naturewith "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," both done well by Davis, who solos with flair and narrative muscle and then (on the latter tune) recedes calmly to let Farao shine. Then the quartet takes off into familiar terrain, an assembly of tunes obviously played myriad times on tour and much richer for the wear. When you hearSecond Nature, enjoy how much it reflects an artist who plies the trade as a performer and brings that sensibility to a recording, giving this album a giddy, nonpretentious energy.--Andrew Bartlett