Russell Haight: Go Forth

Go Forth is exactly what saxophonist Russell Haight did after recording this tasteful album in July 2023, leaving the Dallas, Texas area where he had lived and worked for two decades, moving to New York City, the jazz capital of the world, to continue his musical journey among the elite in his profession.

As this was Haight's previous go-round with three of his longtime friends and colleagues from Dallas—pianist Sean Michael Giddings, bassist Ryan Hagler and drummer Daniel Dufour—each one gave the assignment the best they had to offer, sailing nimbly through nine of Haight's respectable compositions and two others: Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and Judy Garland's signature theme, "Over the Rainbow," session highlights performed back-to-back.

Haight plays tenor sax most of the way, alto on "Night and Day" and his own lyrical "Waltz for J." He is splendid on either horn, as befits his many years of professional experience. As for Haight's teammates—none of them would be treading water even in New York's enormous talent pool. Everyone is rigorously tested on Haight's rapid-fire "Mystic Bud," inspired by Thelonious Monk's "In Walked Bud," and no one blinks.

Haight also wrote the bright and bustling title song, the graceful "Rich in Heart" (for the late pianist Rich Harney), sauntering "April Gray," brisk "Morning Walk," pensive "Reminiscence" and the quirky and playful finale, "Scooch." Haight departed Dallas with an impactful parting shot, one laden with promise for the stern challenges he would later face in New York City.