Eric Goletz: Standard-ized!

If variety is on your wish list, you will find a lot to like on Standard-ized!, New York-based trombonist Eric Goletz's third album in three years. Group size and makeup are seldom the same, Goletz's charts traverse new realms, there are special guests to enhance the proceedings, and Goletz even enlists a six-piece string "orchestra" on several numbers.

The strings accompany one of the guests, vocalist LaJuan Carter, on the Nat King Cole chart-topper, "Nature Boy," and Michel Legrand's "Windmills of Your Mind," and Goletz on Legrand's "The Summer Knows." The second guest is soprano saxophonist Don Braden who shines and smokes on Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time" and a pair of Horace Silver compositions, "Nutville" and "Mayreh." Goletz leads his core quartet on the Broadway standard "Just in Time" and George Gershwin's "Summertime," trios on Stanley Turrentine's "Sugar" and Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," sextets on Juan Tizol's "Caravan," Silver's "Jungle Juice" and a second version of "Now's the Time," which closes the album as the earlier reading opened it.

Braden makes it a septet on his three numbers, each of which is upbeat and swinging. Goletz shows his remarkable technique there, as he does elsewhere, keeping pace with Braden note for note and showing his guest no quarter. Pianist Jim Ridl is another impressive soloist, as he affirms on "Just in Time," "Mayreh," "Summertime" and other numbers, while guitarist Henry Heinitsch sparkles on "Train Shuffle." With Ridl, bassist Brian Glassman and drummer Steve Johns in charge, the rhythm is in capable hands. As for Carter, she sings with emotion but is otherwise less than special. A better-than-average session, amplified by disparate ingredients, a generally admirable playlist, earnest blowing by all hands, and the singular virtuosity of Goletz and Braden.