Peter Furlan Project: Live at Maureen's Jazz Cellar

The third album by the Peter Furlan Project, the New York-born and based saxophonist's splendid nonet, was recorded Live at Maureen's Jazz Cellar in Nyack, NY, on June 20-21, 2025. The concert's nine numbers, all written and arranged by Furlan, travel along a conventional straight-ahead path whose sunny melodic and harmonic byways allow ample room for close group interaction and one or more resourceful solos by every member of the ensemble.

While that may be enough to please most audiences and leave them eager to hear more, that does not mean that a particular concert date, no matter how inspiring, translates well to the relative permanence of a recording session. There is certainly nothing flawed or disagreeable here; on the other hand, there is nothing on the menu that sets the session apart from similarly creative music performed by groups large and small at venues throughout the U.S. and around the world.

That is not to say the concert is not worthwhile; it most certainly is. Furlan's compositions are pleasing, his charts well-designed, the musicians focused and talented. Concert-goers could not ask for more than that. The nonet is sharp on every number, as are the soloists who include trumpeter Vinnie Cutro, alto saxophonist Andrew Beals, baritone Brad Hubbard, trombonist Erick Storckman, pianist Neil Nail Alexander, guitarist Joel Newton and Furlan on tenor sax (four numbers) or soprano (two). The rhythm section (Alexander, Newton, bassist Charlie Dougherty, drummer Nadav Snir-Zelniker) is alert and supportive on every number.

Even so, the impression that lingers is one of an impressive jazz concert that would be far better seen as well as heard: handsome arrangements, instinctive solos, tight interplay—in other words, everything that would inspire and please an audience. Those who appreciate jazz that is reflexive and in-the-moment should derive considerable pleasure from this long-playing (seventy-eight minute) concert recorded live at Maureen's Jazz Cellar. It is, after all, the next best thing to having been there.

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