Steve Davis' fourth Criss Cross set as a leader has a different instrumentation than his previous sets. The trombonist is teamed with vibraphonist
Steve Nelson and guitarist
Peter Bernstein in a sextet/septet that also includes pianist
David Hazeltine, bassist
Peter Washington, drummer
Joe Farnsworth, and (on three of the eight songs) altoist
Mike DiRubbo.
Davis, who in addition to being a
Curtis Fuller-inspired trombonist is an underrated composer, wrote five of the eight songs and the band also plays
Thad Jones' "The Summary" and one song apiece from
Peter Bernstein and
Leonard Bernstein ("Somewhere"). Despite the unfamiliar material, the swinging hard bop style is quite accessible to straight-ahead jazz listeners and the blend between the trombone, vibes, and guitar is quite attractive. All of
Steve Davis' Criss Cross sets are well worth acquiring. ~ Scott Yanow