Asaf Harris: I Thought I Was Ready

Building on the direction of his debut album, Walk of the Ducks (Ubuntu Music, 2022), Israeli saxophonist and composer Asaf Harris follows up with his second release, I Thought I Was Ready. The album consists of seven original pieces that take inspiration from self-reflection and narratives from personal memories.

Harris graduated from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York in 2020, where he received the John Coltrane Award of Excellence. The award recognizes outstanding performers, composers and improvisers within the jazz program. Beyond jazz, Harris has written scores for numerous award-winning films. These diverse influences combine to give his saxophone lines hints of Middle Eastern sounds with a cinematic storytelling approach.

The album was recorded with long-time collaborators: pianist Guy Moskovich, bassist Omri Ever Hadani and drummer David Sirkis. Their rapport is apparent from the title track, which opens the album. This fast-moving piece entertains as it weaves together a swirling tenor saxophone melody, flowing piano and some intense interplay. "Nothing in this music is forced," says Harris. "The sound comes from the space we share and the way we listen to one another."

Inspired by a chance meeting outside New York's Blue Note jazz club, "I Don't Know What's Inside (but it's got to be good...)" finds Harris in inspired form mixing with flowing piano and crisp, driving rhythms. This contrasts well with the forest-inspired, dark, brooding atmosphere created in "Langa Grove."

Harris relishes the freedom to improvise melodic phrases in the "Taqsim" that introduces "FCB." For this track the quartet is joined by guest oud virtuoso Onn Yosef Kadosh. He is a member of the trio Komradin with Harris and Sirkis, so once again the music has its foundations in musical rapport as they open up a different soundscape full of mood and drama.

Elsewhere, "The Story Of" lets plenty of space into its gently swirling Jewish sax melody neatly supported by Hadani's bass solo and "Climbing Down" is another example of the strength of Harris' compositions with thoughtful  arrangements and tight interplay.

Harris' confident sax lines run through the album with warm and organic tones, offering plenty of unforeseen twists and turns in his narratives. His rapport with his collaborators forms the framework, supporting blends of energetic invention and melody that entertain while showcasing a personal artistic expression that offers something different and proves highly absorbing.