Scott Reeves is best known as a trombonist, but for these 2008 live performances, he switched to the somewhat obscure alto flügelhorn and alto valve trombone. Assembling a quintet of both seasoned and younger musicians, including veteran tenor saxophonist
Rich Perry, pianist
Jim Ridl, plus bassist Mike McGurk and drummer
Andy Watson,
Reeves' post-bop originals are challenging and ear-catching. "Shape Shifter" is one of the most demanding of the bunch, constructed upon a 12-tone row and constantly changing time signatures, featuring
Perry,
Ridl, and the leader on alto valve trombone. The brooding "The Soulful Mr. Williams" conveys the sense of loss that nearly everyone who encountered pianist/composer/jazz educator
James Williams felt after his unexpected death from cancer in 2004;
Perry,
Reeves (on alto valve trombone), and
Ridl excel in their solos. On the remaining tracks, the leader sticks to alto flügelhorn, which is pitched a fifth lower than the regular horn. The tense, eerie "New Bamboo" and the loping, infectious blues "Last Call" especially stand out. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden