Sean Hong Wei & Jeremy Monteiro: The New Jersey Sessions

The New Jersey Sessions is a testament to the vitality of jazz brought to life by pianist Jeremy Monteiro and tenor saxophonist Sean Hong Wei, with the iconic Houston Person adding his legendary sound to a couple of notable tracks. The album serves up a rich tapestry of eight jazz standards (and one original from Monteiro) which provide a road map to blending traditional jazz elements with a modern sensibility by an ensemble which includes trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Evan Sherman in addition to the two principals.

The session opens with a Charlie Parker bop line "Dewey Square," a contrafact based on the chord changes of George Gershwin's composition "Oh, Lady Be Good." The band is at home navigating the complex harmonies and rhythms. Monteiro, well-known for his technical prowess, manages the bebop elements with a dedication to his craft. Trumpeter Sipiagin takes full advantage of his solo space with rippling assurance. The wonderful Billy Eckstine ballad "I Want To Talk About You" is given a warm reading by Hong, as he pays homage to the John Coltrane version recorded in 1958 for the album Soultrane on Prestige Records. While no-one compares Hong to Coltrane, he is a saxophonist with possibilities.

The inclusion of Houston Person on a couple of tracks is a highlight which adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the album. Person's rich, warm tone and bluesy phrasing are immediately recognizable in "When Sunny Gets Blue" and "Bag's Groove," elevating the overall musical experience. In the former number, Hong and Person trade 8 bar solos, a lesson in sound improvisation strategy as Person imparts the importance of song texts as a key to the piece's meaning and a signpost for their improvisation. On the latter number, a Milt Jackson composition, the blues elements are front and center. This is Person's wheelhouse, and Hong does his best to hang in, with his own distinct voice. Monteiro delivers a solo which is both soulful and technically precise.

The closer is the Duke Ellington signature piece "Sophisticated Lady," which is a duet interpretation with Monteiro and Hong. The interplay between the two players is particularly noteworthy as they display a remarkable synergy that propels the number forward, captured in one take.