Saxophonist Jeff Barash is a straight-ahead acoustic jazz musician whose playing references include
Stan Getz,
John Coltrane, and
Sonny Rollins.
Bouncin' on 160th Avenue showcases an introspective collection of unexpected originals and even more unexpected standards. Featuring electric guitarist Mike Owen,
Bouncin' on 160th Avenue often resembles the ambient and melancholy recordings that trumpeter
Chet Baker made in Europe with Belgian guitarist
Philip Catherine. When Barash and company stretch out like this on tunes such as
Dave Liebman's "Oasis" and the saxophonist's own "Nationalistic World," the group conveys an artistic intimacy lacking in many small-group jazz releases. ~ Matt Collar