Joe Fonda: Joe Fonda & Bass Of Operation

The bassoon is rarely heard in a jazz context, but bassist Joe Fonda got the idea to use the instrument in a free-swinging small group format. He incorporated Michael Rabinowitz, one of the few improvising bassoonists around, into a quartet with two of his long-time collaborators, drummer Harvey Sorgen and reed player Jeff Lederer. Fonda's original idea was for Lederer to play tenor saxophone in the group, but Lederer decided instead to play higher-pitched reeds, clarinet, flute, and piccolo. The resulting mix with Rabinowitz's bassoon creates a fun high-low dynamic that brings a unique feel to the music.

On most tracks, Lederer skates along in a higher register while Rabinowitz chugs along beside him on the bottom. On "Deja Vu for DC" and "Magic," Lederer's clarinet bounces brightly over the thick grooves laid down by Fonda and Sorgen, with the bassoon buzzing along in low harmony. On "Soon To Know" and "MGJ," Lederer turns to flute to create a more restrained chamber-music feel. On "Soon To Know," the reeds playfully harmonize around Fonda's chiming bass while "MGJ" has a creeping melody that breaks down into intertwining reed lines, quietly brooding over a rattling rhythm. The aptly-named "Fast" is a brief, nervous blast of bassoon and piccolo tooting and spitting against explosive drumming.

Fonda and Sorgen are very good at setting solid rhythmic foundations for the reeds to work from. They really come into their own with their galloping support for the extended clarinet and bassoon excursions of the closing "Mosaic." This 11-minute jaunt shows off the unique sound of this band. Lederer's and Rabinowitz's acrobatic flights sound liberating and the rhythm section's relentless pace setting is excellent. This woodwind combination makes for a fresh sound that never slips into the predictable. Hopefully Joe Fonda can keep this band doing further explorations for years to come.