Wayne Escoffery has been one of the most impressive tenor saxophonists of his generation, not only developing a personal sound but also demonstrating prowess as a compelling composer/arranger. With his
Veneration quartet, which includes vibraphonist
Joe Locke, bassist
Hans Glawisching, and drummer
Lewis Nash (with
Jonathan Blake subbing on drums for three tracks),
Escoffery opens with his infectious "Hopes and Dreams," with his passionate tenor backed by
Locke, who plays both vibes and marimba and solos on the latter instrument. His lush solo in
Charles Mingus' "Noon Night" (an excerpt from his magnum opus
Epitaph) would have likely pleased its demanding composer. Trumpeter/flügelhornist
Tom Harrell, with whom
Escoffery has worked as a sideman, is added on three tracks.
Harrell's hip "Liason" swings in a light groove, while
John Coltrane's infrequently performed "Chronic Blues" is a lively workout for the band, which offers a haunting arrangement of the late
Bill Barron's "Dedicated to Wanda," yet another song deserving of wider attention. The Brazilian composition "The Face I Love" was recorded live at Smoke during the making of
Escoffery's earlier Savant CD
Veneration, but was omitted because of time constraints; it provides a fitting conclusion to this outstanding release. ~ Ken Dryden