In jazz, some of the best moments are the most intimate ones, as this duet album with pianist Mark Minchello points out. He teams up with a variety of horn players for cozy interpretations of jazz standards and ballads. There isn’t a weak link in the chain here, as he evokes images of Ellington and Coltrane on with soprano saxist Bob Hanlon on a tender “In a Sentimental Mood” while Hanlon’s baritone on “Blame It On My Youth” is thoughtful and reflective. Tom Christenson’s tenor has a lithe warmth on “Soul Eyes” and Anton Denner’s flute is gloriously vulnerable on “I’m A Fool To Want You.” Minchello knows when to be supportive, veering in and out of the spotlight like a tenor in a Mozart opera, working well with Rick Savage’s trumpet on the shadowy “Lament.” You feel like you’re taking in deep conversations here, and everyone has respect for the melody enough to improvise with thought and feeling. Impressive!