There’s something about duets that mixes the intimacy, swing and conversation of jazz in ways no other mixture is able. Here, saxist Marc Mommaas teams with pianist Nikolas Hess for an ebullient set of gentle conversations with standards. Mommaas’ tenor is Ben Webster warm with a deep and wide vibrato on as he sighs and purrs on a low key “The Peacocks” while his soprano gasps and hums on “Body and Soul.” He opens up “Ask Me Now” with a breathy intro, Hess’s ectomophic fingers and stately presence takes over along with guest bassist Thomas Morgan. The fog rolls in on “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” along with Vic Juris’ cameo guitar appearance , while Morgan and Hess dialogue with delicacy over the stalking “Never Let Me Go.”
The mix of glowing warm embers emitted by Mommaas’ sax coalesced and contrasted with Hess’ romantic melodicism makes for some everlasting treasures. Check this one out!
Sunnyside Records