Mike Tucker: Collage

There's always room on the jazz scene for young talent, even in the tried and true saxophone-plus-rhythm-section format. Tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker received a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2002; he was also chosen to compete in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition the same year. After three years-plus of formal education and more than a decade of professional work—including a Gary Burton/Pat Metheny recording project—Tucker has released his debut CD as a leader, Collage.

The recording opens with the Tucker-penned piece "Fanfare," the only quintet tune on the disc, featuring trumpeter Eric Bloom. Tucker and Bloom coax warm tones from their respective horns, and after some up-tempo unison work, Bloom takes a bright and buoyant solo, with the rhythm guys crackling behind him. Tucker doesn't step out until nearly three minutes in, but it's worth the wait. He blows with a full-bodied sound, creating a smooth and articulate flow of interesting ideas.

Collage is full of inspired blowing, and Tucker stands out as a songwriter. Nine of the ten tunes are Tucker originals, ranging from the funky "New Orleans" to the straight-ahead "Fanfare," the pretty ballad "Kathy" and the fusion-like "Space #1 & #2." The disc closes out with the ethereal and plaintive "Mbira." Mike Tucker's debut proves itself an exceptionally strong introduction to an upcoming young saxophonist/songwriter.