Igor Butman: Only Now

Tenor saxophonist Igor Butman, born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia, is one of a number of jazz musicians from Europe and Asia whose love for the music was nourished by nightly broadcasts from the Voice of America. Since emigrating to America in 1987 (he holds dual citizenship), Butman's virtuosity has been recognized by enthusiasts up to and including former president Bill Clinton who has called Butman "my favorite living saxophonist." Wynton Marsalis—in whose Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Butman appeared as guest soloist in 1988—simply says, "Igor is my main man!"

Based on that sort of praise, expectations should have been high for the saxophonist's latest album, Only Now. Butman does not disappoint, displaying his mastery in every realm from ballads to blues, hard bop to blazers. To honor Marsalis, there are two versions of the playful, New Orleans-flavored "Blues for Wynton," the second of which closes the album. Marsalis wrote the music (Bobby McFerrin the lyric) of "Baby I Love You," sung blues-style by one of Butman's fellow countrymen, pianist Oleg Akkuratov, who has not let blindness stop him from becoming an acclaimed classical and jazz pianist at home and abroad. Butman and the ensemble (basically a quartet or quintet) open softly with the luminous "Egyptian Nights," on which he unveils his expansive arsenal of enlivening phrases and exemplary timbre and technique.

Guitarist Evgeniy Pobozhiy (he is from Russia, the first from his country to win the Herbie Hancock International Jazz Guitar Competition) solos on "Nights," as he does (admirably) on most other tracks. Drummer Antonio Sanchez anchors the responsive rhythm section, with bassists Eddie Gomez and Matt Brewer dividing those duties. Pobozhiy wrote the decisive "Verdict," Steve Swallow the mellow "Falling Grace," Gennady Gladkov the gently swaying "Golden Sun Ray." Besides "Blues for Wynton," Butman authored the shuffling "You've Got E-mail" and fast-paced "Only Now." While the group dynamic is impressive, Only Now is Butman's showcase, and it is his consummate artistry that sets the enterprise above and apart from most other dwellers in its neighborhood.