The joy of jazz is that there are always new artists to discover. Saxophonist Benjamin Drazen graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in the mid-1990s and returned to his native New York City. He’s played funk, Latin music, r’n’b and lots of jazz. His debut recording “Inner Flights” shows up on the Posi-Tone Records label, quickly becoming the home for good, straight-ahead, jazz. Drazen, joined by pianist Jon Davis, bassist Carlo De Rosa and drummer Eric McPherson, has created a program that blends hard-bop with the searching aspects of John Coltrane’s music. The sound is clean and uncluttered, his alto and soprano sax playing filled with swift, clearly articulated lines with a supporting cast that is solid, creative, and in sync. Pianist Davis, best known for his work with the late Jaco Pastorious as well as the Joris Teepe Band and Beatle Jazz, is a fine player; his solos on pieces like “This Is New” and “Monkish” are fresh and entertaining. His accompaniment on the contemplative “”Prayer for Brothers Gone” and sweetly turned “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” is welcome and free of cliche. Drazen is playful on “Jazz Heaven“, filled with twists, bent notes and rapid-fire phrases. He shows his fiery side after moving to soprano on the Coltrane-inspired title track (also featuring excellent support from McPherson and hardy bass work from De Rosa.)
One gets the feeling Benjamin Drazen waited some time before stepping out on his own, building a solid repertoire and working on his mechanics. It’s been worth the wait for this music has well-shaped melodic and harmonic ideas without feeling forced or immature. “Inner Flights” is a promising beginning to Drazen’s solo career as a leader; let’s hope for many more flights. For more information, go towww.benjamindrazen.com or go to www.posi-tone.com.
Take a sonic ride to “Jazz Heaven” courtesy of Posi-Tone Records and IODA Promonet;
Jazz Heaven (mp3)
