Here’s a delight for jazz fans that like their jazz served on a blue plate. Steve Heckmann uses his warm and high cholesterol tenor along with boppers Howard Alden/g, Matt Clark/p, Marcus Shelby/b and Akira Tana/dr on this thoroughly enjoyable collection of standards. His rich sound is evident on the opening duet with Shelby on the relaxed “Alone Together” as well s the wonderful duet with Alden on “Things We Did Last Summer.” He mixes it up by switching reeds, most successfully on a cozy “I Thought About You” with his clarinet and a haunting “Lazy Afternoon” with simple shading by Clark and Alden. The 7 stringer shines throughout, with some nice solos on “Moon and Sand” and “We Will Meet Again.” Lots to like on this mainstreaming gem.
Jazzed Media