In a quartet setting for his initial album for Maine's Invisible Music label, multi saxophonist Charlie Jennison has chosen a play list of ten of his own compositions forsaking standard material. The result, in terms of sax playing, is a smooth piece of work. "Smooth" not in the sense of the saccharine stuff served up by contemporary jazz players, but smooth as in classy unpretentiousness in the performances. Jennison is an alumnus of the Do'ah, a world music ensemble which recorded for Global Pacific label in the '80s. He has since graduated to jazz having sat in on recording sessions with singers Kathleen Kolman and Leila Percy, among others. Jennison's compositions are all in various tempi and style, but become repetitious as ideas get thin. One of the more interesting pieces is "To You, From Me" which features Jennison on alto along with some exciting drum breaks by Ken Clark. Another piece spotlighting Jennison's alto, sounding like Phil Woods in a mellow mood, is the lovely ballad "Georgie," while "My Anne" rivals "Georgie" for sheer musical beauty. The tenor takes over on "Watch Your Step," with Jennison showing some daring fingering technique. There's a nice blues with a funky piano solo by Jim Butka and good bass strumming from John Hunter on "Amanda's Blues." Jennison brings out his soprano for "Rain in My Coffee," which has a light Latin beat and more good piano from Butka.
But virtually all tunes on this session go down the same musical road. There's an introduction establishing the basic melody structure, followed by some technically compelling fingering, after which there's a return to the melody. No matter how good the instrumentalist is, and Jennison is very good, unless the original material is superior, it's not going to hold one's attention for a whole sitting -- and that is the case here. It would have enhanced listening attraction if he had put some familiar material on this CD.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo