Performed in concert at the Berklee Performance Center, this album is led and produced by pianist Laszlo Gardony as he leads a 3, count ‘em, three sax front line that rotates Don Braden, Bill Pierce and Stan Strickland. The rhythm team of Gardony along with Yoron Israel/dr and John Lockwood/b for the most part keep the feel soulful and southern. Examples of a Crescent City backbeat on “Bourbon Street Boogie” and a fun and funky “Out On Top”mix the fun harmonics of three reeds with a tapping toe. Gardony plays with an easy gait on “The Other One” while there’s some thick and exotic moods provided by Strickland’s bass clarinet on “New Song.” Israel gets a chance to stretch out on a wild and whooley “Breakout” that features the most intense moments of wailing tenors, while the most soulful moments come when Braden preaches n “Lullaby of Birdland.” Tenors, anyone?
Sunnyside Records