John Swana - Feeling's Mutual - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

For his tenth Criss Cross date as a leader, trumpeter John Swana presents his first twin-tenor sextet. Swana, tenor saxophonists Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington have intersected on many occasions, but never together in a group. Bright Moments focuses largely on original material with a couple of standards thrown in for good measure; but the writing is so captivating, the performances so attention-grabbing, that it feels like an album of well-known songs. The ever-inventive Swana creates here challenging contexts for his sextet, with an emphasis on hard-swinging and refined balladry.

The members of the Ensemble Hougaku Shijyuusoudan explore the art of sankyoku a refined repertoire of instrumental chamber music, to which singing often adds a poetic touch. The practice of this trio music was established as early as the end of the Edo era (late 19th c.), and underwent a major growth with the secularization of shakuhachi flute playing (formerly reserved for itinerant Zen monks of the Fuke sect).Ancient music and magnificent performers of today, all graduates of the Tokyo National Conservatory and winners of prestigious competitions while perpetuating the traditional repertoire, they are multiplying collaborations and are also committed to animating the future of their instruments by commissioning works from contemporary composers.

This CD features the pariing of two hot trumpeters, the young veterans Joe Magnarelli (from New York) and John Swana (from Philly) in a buring sextet date that also features the swining tenor sax of Eric Alexander. In the rhythm section Joel Wiskopf, Peter Washington and Kenny Washington provide solid support. Hard bop at it's best.