Benjamin Drazen: Inner Flights (2011)

Andrew Lienhard

Contributor since 2010

Recent articles (6 total)

Published: March 9, 2011

Alto saxophonist Benjamin Drazen has been plying his trade around Manhattan's network of small jazz bars—places like 55 Bar, Smalls, and The Garage—for over a decade. At long last, the New York native unveils his debut outing, Inner Flights. In a program of mostly original music, Drazen consistently delivers strong post-John Coltrane John Coltrane
1926 - 1967
saxophone fire, with a sound that lies somewhere between Jackie McLean Jackie McLean
1932 - 2006
sax, alto and Gary Bartz Gary Bartz
b.1940
sax, alto . Paired with Drazen, his band is a juggernaut, everyone possessed of the frenetic, driving pulse destined to keep this music aloft.

Opening with an up-tempo blues, "Mr. Twilight," the melody skates through modal twists, accented by pianist Jon Davis Jon Davis
' strong, McCoy Tyner McCoy Tyner
b.1938
piano -ish left hand. Drazen's opening, guns-a-blazing drive is met with the full support of the trio behind him. A Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk
1917 - 1982
piano tribute follows with "Monkish," a nod to the legendary pianist's more comedic side, à la "Raised Four." True to the title, Davis begins this track with a jagged piano intro.

The album's apex arrives in the middle of the program, with the title track. Here, Drazen switches to soprano, unleashing a dazzling Coltrane-esque solo. The energy is matched again on Davis's arrangement of the rarely-heard Kurt Weill standard "This Is New."

Drazen closes the set with the ballad show tune "Polkadots and Moonbeams," highlighting his affinity for Julian "Cannonball" Adderley Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
1928 - 1975
saxophone . The slower pace can be a trap for less experienced soloists, but for Drazen it's an incentive to be lyrical and swinging at the same time. A relaxed, Red Garland Red Garland
1923 - 1984
piano -style solo from Davis adds to the Adderley homage.

On Inner Flights, Drazen and his swinging cohorts deliver on all fronts. It's a head-turning debut from a talented and extremely capable new voice.

Track Listing: Mr. Twilight; Monkish; Prayer For Brothers Gone; Jazz Heaven; Inner Flights; Neeney's Waltz; This Is New; Kickin' Up Dirt; Polka Dots And Moonbeams.

Personnel: Benjamin Drazen: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jon Davis: piano; Carlo De Rosa: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Record Label: Posi-Tone Records
Style: Modern Jazz