Here’s a sax quartet that is quite ecumenical in its delivery. Made up of Gary Keller/ss, Gary Lindsay/as, Ed Calle/ts and Mike Brignola/bari, the Miami Sax Quartet mixes and matches originals with standards, and unaccompanied reeds with various supporting teams. The Quartet goes it alone on a lusciously rich reading of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” that highlights their molasses rich harmonies. A bluesy “Lost and Found” has Lindsay’s alto caressed by Jim Gasior’s piano, while “Sophisticated Lady” is like molten lava thick with Brignola’s horn at the helm. A clever marimba supplementation adds joy to the Bach-inspired “Prelude-Invention-Suspenstion” divertment, and Brian Lynch’s trumpet is like an Indian Summer on a lovely “Early Autumn.” Bluesy bop closes the fun and fulfilling evening on “Sweet Bread,” making this a joy for anyone that is a fan of sax sections a la Basie or Duke.
Fortitude Records