Greg Osby: Symbols Of Light (A Solution)

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: August 1, 2001

By dedicating pieces to specific jazz masters, Greg Osby honors the tradition without repeating it. High on individuality since he joined Blue Note in 1990, the saxophonist has dared—on past albums—to introduce jazz to funk, hip-hop, street poetry and more. His creative freshness is what drives him. It's that uniqueness of spirit that moves each of Osby's projects up a notch. This time out, it's a string quartet.

By writing sensual counterpoint for the string quartet and having his piano trio match their mood stride for stride, Osby is free to turn his saxophone loose. His improvisation winds around the script, jabbing the air with that recognizably gritty tone. The session centers on beauty: expressed through sonorous timbre combinations, harmonic impressions, and written work. "Wild is the Wind" is the classic Johnny Mathis hit. Osby performs it in the lower register, purring as a balladeer. "Golden Sunset" was written by Andrew Hill. Osby and pianist Jason Moran perform it as a duet, with powerful majesty. Several of the tunes swing, while much of the session offers dramatic impressionism. Greg Osby continues to carve his way into an ever-changing jazz scene that wants to grow but doesn't yet know which roads to follow.

Track Listing: 3 for Civility; Repay in Kind; "M"; The Keep; Golden Sunset; This is Bliss; One Room; Northbound; Wild is the Wind; Social Order; Minstrale Again (The Barefoot Tapdance).

Personnel: Greg Osby: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone (3, 7); Jason Moran: piano; Scott Colley: bass; Marlon Browden: drums; Christian Howes: violin; Marlene Rice-Shaw: violin; Judith Insell-Stack: viola; Nioka Kim Workman: cello.

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream