Just when you think “they don’t make ‘em like that any more,” along comes a tenor saxist like David Wise who returns you to the sounds of breathy blowers like Ben Webster and Don Byas. He teams up with Bruce Forman/g, Alex Frank/b and Jake Reed/dr for a core team and brings along some fun guests as well.
Warm breezes bow with fellow tenorist RW Enoch on a hip “What More Could One Want?” and cozy moods brew up on the standard “Here’s That Rainy Day” and his own “Home.” He goes solo and sub-toned on a traditional piece “Kol Nidre” that digs deep with the bari. Wise even sings a bit with gently agony, bop and pathos on three part “Life is But A Song” . Forman is sublime throughout and throws rich softballs for Wise to swing and hit liners to left. A real winner.