Randal Despommier: South

Growing up in Metairie, Louisiana—a mere six miles from New Orleans—alto saxophonist Randal Despommier's formative experiences were rooted in the Crescent City's fertile sonic soil. A stone's throw away from the action, he was able to cut his teeth on the local scene(s) and put his horn to good use in Mardi Gras parades. In addition, and in some of those instances, he learned a great deal by watching and musically interacting with his father, Phil Despommier—a pupil of NOLA drumming legend James Black and a pillar in the area, performing regularly with the Nat Krasnoff Trio and the band South.

In pursuit of broad knowledge, this altoist would eventually leave that locale, studying sacred music in Italy, earning a doctorate at the New England Conservatory of Music and settling in New York. But that departure and distance took nothing away from his fondness for home. New Orleans is inextricably linked to Randal Despommier's sound and sense of self, and he pays due respect with this highly agreeable appreciation.

In April of 2024, Despommier joined forces with NOLA rhythm royalty—pianist David Torkanowsky, bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich—and he laid down a handful of tracks tied to the tradition and his background. "Go to the Mardi Gras"—Professor Longhair's eternal party piece—sets the album in motion and lets the good times roll. The leader's arrangement of Allen Toussaint's "Southern Nights" provides some additions and tasteful recoloring while maintaining the model's breezy sensibilities. Original "Jelly Roll's Living Room," featuring Torkanowsky's masterful playing, is steeped in its namesake's blues language. Texan Edgar Winter's "Dying to Live"—a part of South's rich repertoire back in the day—comes as a welcome surprise, with soulful bearing and all. And father and son unite, with Vidacovich ceding the drum throne to the elder Despommier on the album-closing "Just a Closer Walk with Thee."

The remainder of the playlist—four tracks interspersed between the aforementioned material—was recorded in Brooklyn with a band of peers including pianist Jason Yeager, bassist Aaron Holthus and drummer Rodrigo Recabarren. But the change in city, venue and band didn't alter the overall chemistry in the air. Both sessions prove compatible and complementary. Together, the New York crew lightly waltzes through a contemplative "'Round 3 AM (A Blues Nocturne)" before exiting in a state of suspense; tips a collective hat toward Sidney Bechet with an ambling, sinuous "Si tu vois ma mère"; delivers Charles Mingus' classic Lester Young tribute—"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"—as a deep-hued design; and ruminates on shades of indigo on "Blues Rheumatica." A sincerely felt musical homecoming, South is remarkably satisfying from every angle.