Tenor saxist Mark Turner is one of the most in demand gunslingers around. First making a name for himself with Kurt Rosenwinkel, he has been with bands such as with Billy Hart, and here with Stefano Bollani. Here’s a chance to hear his thought patterns as both a sideman and a leader.
Cohesive group interplay is in abundance here in a session lead by pianist Stefano Bollani. He employs the services of top flight artists such as Mark Turner/ts, Bill Frisell/g, Jesper Bodilsen/b and Morten Lund/dr . The band has a joyful bounce and a clean sound as Turner and Frisell solo on “Easy Healing” and bop with a Monkish angularity on “No Pope No Party.” Bollani’s piano work is in marvelous display on the graciously flowing “Alobar e Kutra” and everyone is in subtle and understated form on the pensive “Vale.” These gents make it look easy, but there is no slight of hand here.
Mark Turner leads a pianoless quartet that seems lighter than air with Avishai Cohen/tp, Joe Martin/b and Marcus Gilmore/dr. Lyricism and harmonic melodies win the day here on a collection of gently swinging pieces that feel like pastel morning lights. The melding of sleek/y intertwining horns on tunes such as “Year of the Rabbit” and “Ethan’s Line” are like lilly ponds flowing along a stream. Turner’s chestnut tone is at its breathiest and warmest here, and his solos as on “Sonnet For Stevie” and the title piece are well delivered and cogent. Like watching clouds briskly float overhead as you lay on your back.
Turner’s bringing his own band to The Broad Stage in Santa Monica on Sept. 28. Don’t miss it at www.thebroadstage.com
ECM Records