Due Reverence
Ralph Bowen
(Posi-Tone)
The tenor saxophone dynamo Ralph Bowen builds his solid new CD around compositions written for core musical mentors. A top crew assists him: trumpeter Sean Jones, guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Antonio Sanchez. The lyrical “Less is More,” for guitarist Ted Dunbar, moves from solemn bass-tenor tones to a simple, endearing theme. Here, Bowen winningly employs his warm, penetrating sound and moving improv style deeply influenced by John Coltrane. Rogers also shines with gleaming tones over the fluid Patitucci-Sanchez beat. The rapid “This One’s for Bob,” for tenorman Bob Mintzer, is vibrant and exciting, but also a bit note-heavy. “Mr. Scott,” for flutist James Scott, is in 3/4, with a punchy-then-flowing theme. Jones is a winsome soloist.
— Zan Stewart
