George Garzone: Among Friends

With the tenorist is the young Danish bassist Anders Christensen, but otherwise, it is a seasoned cast of musicians that round out the date: pianist Steve Kuhn and drummer Paul Motian.

Supported by Christensen's elegantly understated bass patterns, Motian's fluid timekeeping is perfect for bringing out the best in the slowly breathing lines of the saxophonist and Kuhn is heard at his most romantic, laying down a riverbed of sighing chords on the beautiful arrangements of the originals "Alone," "Farewell," and The Fringe classic "Between Two Cities," which finds Garzone shifting from tenor to soprano saxophone with great effect.

There is also room for an intimate interpretation of the standard "My One And Only Love," where the horn caresses the melody accompanied only by Kuhn's piano. This tune, like all the others, provides a glimpse into the window of the artist's soul. Even though Garzone previously has explored the form of the ballad on various occasions, Among Friends digs deeper and is an autumnal highlight of a so far distinguished career.

Comments