Alto saxophonist Benjamin Drazen has been plying his trade around Manhattan’s network of small jazz bars — places like 55 Bar, Smalls, and The Garage — for over a decade. At long last, the New York native unveils his debut outing Inner Flights. In a program of mostly original music, Drazen consistently delivers strong post-Coltrane fire with a sound that lies somewhere between Jackie McLean and Gary Bartz. He’s joined by drummer Eric McPherson, pianist Jon Davis, and bassist Carlo De Rosa, all of whom have a frenetic, driving pulse destined to keep the music aloft. Paired with Drazen, the band is a juggernaut.
The session opens with an uptempo blues, “Mr. Twilight”. The melody skates through modal twists accented by a strong Tyner-ish left hand from Davis. Drazen’s opening guns a’ blazing drive is met with the full support of the trio behind him. A Monk tribute follows on “Monkish”, a nod to the legendary pianist’s more comedic side, a la “Raised Four”. True to the title, Davis begins this track with a jagged, Monkish piano intro.
The album’s apex arrives in the middle of the program on the title track. Here, Drazen switches to soprano and unleashes a dazzling Coltrane-esque solo. Should there have been more of this? Yes. But we’ll take what we can get. The energy is matched again on Jon Davis’s arrangement of the rarely-heard Weill standard “This Is New”.
Drazen closes the set with the ballad show tune “Polkadots and Moonbeams”, and in doing so, highlights his affinity for Cannonball Adderley. The slower pace can be a trap for less experienced soloists, but for Drazen it’s incentive to be lyrical and swinging at the same time. A relaxed Red Garland style solo from the pianist adds to the Adderley homage.
On Inner Flights, Drazen and his swinging cohorts deliver on all fronts. It’s a head-turning debut from a talented and extremely capable new voice.
Track Listing: Mr. Twilight; Monkish; Prayer For Brothers Gone; Jazz Heaven; Inner Flights; Neeney’s Waltz; This Is New; Kickin’ Up Dirt; Polka Dots And Moonbeams.
Personnel: Benjamin Drazen: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jon Davis: piano; Carlo De Rosa: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.
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