Quest is nominally a cooperative band which includes saxophonist
Dave Liebman, pianist
Richie Beirach, drummer
Billy Hart, and, at various times, bassists
George Mraz and
Ron McClure. As befitting the catholic skills of its straw boss,
Liebman, the group's range is exceptionally broad. The individual members are comfortable in all of modern jazz's guises, but the band's collective strength lies in the realm of post-
Coltrane modality. The band's eponymous named first album was recorded in 1981 for Palo Alto with
Mraz on bass; later efforts include 1986's Quest II and 1988's Natural Selection, both with
McClure. The 1990 CMP album
Of One Mind emphasizes the band's affinity for creative free improvisation. In general,
Quest's music reflects a creative empathy shared by its members; the close rapport enjoyed by
Liebman and
Beirach stems from a musical relationship that goes back more than two decades. The assuredness with which
Quest goes about its business results in a music of great depth and intensity. ~ Chris Kelsey