Leader and drummer Allison Miller’s band of Myra Melford/p-key, Jenny Scheinman/vi, Todd Sikafoose/b, Kirk Knuffke/ct and Ben Goldberg/cl team up with guest percussionists David Flores-John Santos-John Hatfield for a festive mix of moods. Knuffke is particularly peppy on “Welcome Hotel” and bopping hard with the leader for the festive “The Ride.” Pizzicato’d strings serenade with moody piano for “The Phoenix” and the horns sound like their lifting off into space on the tropical “Valley of the Giant.” Rich clarinet makes for a bouncy “Malaga” and modern ripples are percolating on “White Wolfe.” The band has an infectious energy and each song sounds like they are comfortable in both the tradition and looking for something on the ground to pick up and have a go with. Endearing!