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Miami Saxophone Quartet: Fourtified
ByEven so, it is the saxophones (Lindsay; Gary Keller, soprano; Ed Calle, tenor; Mike Brignola, baritone) who are the drawing card here, and they never fail to please, individually or collectively. The interplay is often breathtaking (dig the awesome precision, for example, on Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo a la Turk"), the solos enterprising and perceptive. "Blue Rondo" (enhanced by Chuck Bergeron's resonant bass) is followed by another endearing Brubeck melody, "It's a Raggy Waltz," on which everyone (including pianist Jim Gasior) has a chance to spread his wings. Calle wrote the diaphanous "Dancing on a Cloud" and down-home closer, "Spunky." Gasior, Bravo, Warner, Bergeron and drummer Lee Levin comprise the rhythm section on "Spunky." The quartet (sans backup) rounds out the program with Paquito D'Rivera's serpentine dance, "Wapango."
Lindsay's twenty-seven minute-plus "Jazz Suite" blends the two groups in a splendid association, rife with exhilarating musical moments. Keller and violinist Glen Basham solo on the first movement; Keller, Lindsay and Brignola on the second; Calle on the third. The suite forms an opulent centerpiece for an album that is as persuasive as it is stylish and engaging.
Track Listing
Seventh Sign; Blue Rondo a la Turk; It
Personnel
Gary Keller: soprano, tenor sax (2); Gary Lindsay: alto sax, synthesizer (1); Ed Calle: tenor sax; Mike Brignola: baritone sax; James Gasior (3, 4, 9): piano; Chuck Bergeron (2, 3, 4, 9): bass; Mike Harvey (3, 4), Lee Levin (9): drums; Dan Warner (9): guitar; Richard Bravo (1, 9): Latin percussion; Bergonzi String Quartet (5-7): Glen Basham, Scott Flavin: violin; Pamela McConnell: viola; Ross Harbaugh: cello.
Album information
Title: Fourtified | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Fourtitude
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