Randy Sandke has been admired for his work in swing settings, though the trumpeter's recent projects prior to the making of
Unconventional Wisdom have explored many styles of jazz. Such is the case with this CD as well, working with guitarist
Howard Alden, bassist
Nicki Parrott, and drummer
John Riley, with the leader doubling on fluglehorn. The bossa nova setting of pianist
Bill Evans' "'Funkallero" gives it a novel swagger, while the loping, nostalgic treatment of
Hoagy Carmichael's "New Orleans" suggests a stroll through the Crescent City on a clear fall day. The trumpeter's originals are of equal interest.
Sandke has published a book on his novel approach to harmonies and demonstrated some of them in his compositions. "Meta Blue" is a lively, uptempo blues in which his angular trumpet line is played in unison by
Alden (suggesting its evolution from the theories of
Lennie Tristano), featuring potent solos all around. "Nicki's Blue"is also a meta-tune, a challenging, twisting blues which the band negotiates with finesse. "Django's Dream" is more standard fare, descended from French Impressionist
Claude Debussy's "Reverie" and the subsequent pop reworking "My Reverie," though
Sandke adds warm lyrics in tribute to
Django Reinhardt.
Alden's magical opening solo is followed by
Parrott's warm vocal and a brief solo by the leader. ~ Ken Dryden