Joyous Encounter
For most saxophonists, recording with a mainstream rhythm section would be business as usual. For Joe Lovano, who has spent much of his career experimenting with duos and unconventional trios, little-big bands and string-enhanced ensembles, it's something of a departure. And a rewarding one at that, judging by his return to the studio with the illustrious backing trio of his 2004 effort,I'm All For You. The first time around, a certain spark was lacking in the accompaniment. This time, having toured together, the band clicks. The eminent bop-era veteran Hank Jones steals the show with his elegantly charged piano playing on tunes includingThelonious Monk's "Pannonica" and "A Child is Born" (one of three songs by his late, great brother Thad). Onetime Bill Evans drummer Paul Motian drops second line beats on a tripping-down reading of Oliver Nelson's "Six and Four" and graces Lovano's title track with varied textural effects. And bassist George Mraz is in fine form. In the end, though, Lovano commands the most attention with his grainy, boldly measured, heavyweight tenor. Ranging from the shimmering balladry of "Autumn in New York" to the modal intensity ofJohn Coltrane's "Crescent" (the original of which featured another of Jones' celebrated siblings, Elvin), he finds consistently fresh ways to revitalize the familiar.--Lloyd Sachs