The Slow Lane

Besides Schwartz' shrewd articulation as a soloist, his comprehensive approach to each composition deserves a certain degree of praise. On Wayne Shorter's “Miyako”, Schwartz doesn't overwhelm yet digs deep within the fundamental aspects of this piece as though he is living the experience from a personal viewpoint via lush, sonorous lines with a well-balanced attitude! Here and throughout, Schwartz and his fine band make every note count. Schwartz pursues a dash of Bossa Nova along with fluid, breezy phrasing as the rhythm section maintains the undulating flow on the saxophonist's composition, “The Curve of the Earth”. The saxophonist's keen sense of melody and subdued yet well-stated style of execution continues onward, especially on Billy Strayhorn's “Chelsea Bridge” as Schwartz' husky tone melds nicely with the subtle and at times introspective blues lines on “Peace Dollar”. The title track, “The Slow Lane” is a soft even-tempered stab at Gospel-Blues featuring a crisp yet thoroughly soulful piano solo by Paul Nagel as Schwartz' tenor work seems silvery or at times, quietly forceful.

The Slow Lane is a study in contrasts as Anton Schwartz won't overwhelm you with heated post-bop firebrand soloing although, he is fully capable of stepping it up a few notches in commanding fashion. However, the beauty of it, resides within Schwartz' distinctly personalized faculties and understanding of where to go with a tune as a soloist and leader. Schwartz' seemingly uncanny abilities and sensibilities enable him to render even the quietest or calmest of tunes with a meticulous and often understated sense of urgency. Needless to state, Anton Schwartz is a young man with a horn who delivers the goods in artful and persuasive fashion! - ****

Visit Anton Schwartz on the web.
Anton Schwartz at All About Jazz.

Track listing: Miyako; The Curve of the Earth; Don't Ask; Then Again; Along Came Betty; Chelsea Bridge; Come Rain or Come Shine; Peace Dollar; Born to be Blue; The Slow Lane; The Curve of the Earth (reprise).

Personnel: Anton Schwartz; Tenor Saxophone: Paul Nagel; Piano: John Shifflett; Bass: Jason Lewis; Drums