Jazz Articles about The Mass

The Mass: Collective Identity

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 2000

The all saxophone quartet, “Collective Identity” was formed due to woodwind specialist Alex Harding’s affinity for the world renowned “World Saxophone Quartet” as this band also features Sam Newsome, Jorge Sylvester and Aaron Stewart. And while the results are somewhat mixed, the band turns in a multidimensional rendition of Wayne Shorter’s classic, “Nefertiti” as they expound upon the primary theme yet also execute spiked choruses amid fervent interplay and a wavering pulse. Baritone saxophonist Alex Harding anchors the odd-metered pulse ...