Mark Fechner

The Mark Fechner Jazz Experience: Wing It

by Jack Bowers
August 1, 1999

This is my second “experience” with Chicago–based saxophonist Mark Fechner’s quartet, and as with the first, it’s an earnest but for the most part unimpressive enterprise. An obvious departure this time around is that Fechner plays only alto or tenor saxophone, whereas on his previous release ( Up Jumped Spring ), he played baritone on four selections. Nevertheless, as we remarked then and repeat now, “[Fechner’s] voice simply isn’t strong enough to carry the tune.” Fechner, an admirer of Chicago’s ...