Intersection, trumpeter
Erik Jekabson's debut album as a leader, is an impressive post-bop affair that showcases the California native's softly cerebral improvisation style. With a trumpet sound not unlike his similarly minded contemporary
Ryan Kisor,
Jekabson has a crafted a stylistically varied album that ranges from the world fusion of the title track to the driving and angular swing/funk of "A Night on the Town." Interestingly,
Jekabson displays a knack for writing unique, forward-thinking, and cliché-free compositions that nonetheless reveal a thorough understanding of jazz tradition. Backing the trumpeter are the adept rhythm section talents of guitarist
Ben Monder -- calling to mind a young
Pat Martino -- as well as bassist
Alexis Cuadrado and drummer
Mark Ferber. Similarly deep are tenor saxophonists
Matt Otto and
John Ellis summoning the spirits of
Joe Henderson and
Wayne Shorter as they spar a bit on the melancholy chamber piece "The Rising." A moody and introspective album,
Intersection is a must-hear for fans of serious modern improvisation. ~ Matt Collar