Ravi Coltrane: From The Round Box

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: November 1, 2000

With his forward-looking quintet, Ravi Coltrane explores acoustic jazz that is rich in overtones, characterized by lush harmony and centered on lyricism. Trumpeter Ralph Alessi shares the front line position alongside Coltrane; half the numbers are their originals. Favoring a Third Stream approach over swingers or fiery emotion, the quintet mellows some in both scope and intensity.

Wayne Shorter’s “Blues à la Carte” puts the ensemble in a festive samba mood as trumpet, tenor saxophone and pianist Geri Allen all step forward with exotic solo stretches. Ornette Coleman’s “The Blessing” offers the best opportunity for the unit to catch fire, but Coltrane intentionally restrains the ensemble. Leading with the skills of a master technician, he moves through seamless, fluid phrases designed to emphasize the ease with which these five artists can relate. Smooth and legato, the ensemble works in clear circles through controlled emotion. Coltrane has rounded off the corners — smoothed over any rough edges to his latest project. The result is a session that captures only one aspect of jazz’s modern mainstream: that which is based on familiar harmonies and friendly timbral blends.

Track Listing: Social Drones; The Chartreuse Mean; Word Order; Blues

Personnel: Ravi Coltrane- tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Ralph Alessi- trumpet, flugelhorn; Geri Allen- piano; James Genus- bass; Eric Harland- drums; Andy Milne- piano on

Record Label: RCA Victor
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream

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Date	Venue	Tickets
Jun01	Jackson Theater At Sonoma Country Day School Santa Rosa, CA	buy
Jun01	Jackson Theater At Sonoma Country Day School Santa Rosa, CA	buy
Jun11	Birdland New York, NY
Jun11	Birdland New York, NY
Jun12	Birdland New York, NY
Jun12	Birdland New York, NY
Jun13	Birdland New York, NY
Jun13	Birdland New York, NY
Jun14	Birdland New York, NY
Jun14	Birdland New York, NY
Jun15	Birdland New York, NY
Jun15	Birdland New York, NY
Jun20	Scullers Jazz Club Boston, MA	buy
Jun20	Scullers Jazz Club Boston, MA
Jun25	Skidmore Saratoga Springs, NY
Jun27	Kilbourn Hall Rochester, NY
Aug31	Detroit Jazz Festival Detroit, MI
Sep01	Detroit Jazz Festival Detroit, MI
Sep21	Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey, CA
Oct01	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct01	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct02	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct02	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct03	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct03	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct04	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct04	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct05	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct05	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct06	The Village Vanguard New York, NY
Oct06	The Village Vanguard New York, NY