Jerry Bergonzi isn't the most recognized tenor saxophonist on the planet, as he has spent a long time in jazz education, though his discography as a leader is extensive. But since making his mark as a member of the
Dave Brubeck Quartet in the mid-'70s and then going off on his own, he has continued to grow as a player and developed a sound all his own. For these 2006 studio sessions, he utilizes a different rhythm section than on his first Savant CD, with guitarist
John Abercrombie taking the place of a pianist,
Adam Nussbaum now on drums, and the return of bassist
Dave Santoro from the previous date. The music includes a mix of old and new originals.
Bergonzi revisits his quirky "Gecko Plex," expressing himself with a solo bordering on avant-garde in spots. The playful off-center Latin rhythm in "Czarology" proves immediately infectious, while he overdubs a second tenor in "With Reference," which invites obvious comparisons to the collaborations of
Lee Konitz and
Warne Marsh.
Bergonzi also has a sense of jazz history. His loping treatment of
Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" is fairly straight-ahead, while his playing takes on a bittersweet tone in
Kenny Dorham's neglected ballad "La Mesha." This remarkable CD is well worth investigating. ~ Ken Dryden