Carn Davidson 9: Reverence

The Carn Davidson 9 is a Toronto, Canada-based nonet co-led by trombonist William Carn and saxophonist Tara Davidson whose fourth studio album, Reverence, encompasses a pair of four-part suites, one written by Carn, the other by Davidson. What is most interesting —over and above the depth and quality of the music—is that the suites are not performed sequentially but interspersed, with the first two of Davidson's themes followed by a pair of Carn originals before alternating on the remaining four numbers.

Every song is thematic, with Carn's rhythmic Pan-American Suite saluting his Latin American heritage (he is part Costa Rican) and his love for Brazilian music while Davidson's multicolored four-movement Saxophonists Suite pays homage to fellow woodwind masters Dick Oatts (an impressive guest soloist on the opening "Fire"), Joshua Redman, Christine Jensen and Kenny Garrett. Carn solos impeccably on his own "If Not Now, Then When?" and Davidson's "Wonderment," while Davidson does likewise on Carn's perky "Saúde."

Good as they are, however, Carn and Davidson are resolutely shadowed by tenor Kelly Jefferson and drummer Ernesto Cervini on "Groove (for Joshua)," trumpeters Kevin Turcotte ("Wonderment") and Jason Logue (Carn's "Just Because"), Jefferson again (Carn's "Florencio") and baritone Shirantha Beddage (on Davidson's buoyant finale, "Joy," dedicated to Garrett). In the end, however, the soloists—no matter how persuasive—must assign the lion's share of credit for the over-all performance to the impressive charts and superb ensemble proficiency that lend the album much of its validity and charm. In sum, an above- average straight-ahead session with few less-than-pleasing moments.