Playing baritone, alto, tenor sax and clarinet, David Larsen gives tribute to one of his inspirations, neoswinger Ken Pelplowski, who creates half of a “Four Brothers” front line of reeds along with Jake Svendsen/p, Josh Skinner/b and Brendan McMurphy/dr for a collection of reed raptures.
It’s difficult to choose which combination blends together the best; a pair of licorice sticks are certainly sweet on Al Cohn’s “Two Funky People”, and the tenors roll like a London fog on the swinging “Jazz Line Blues” and the double timing “Doodle Oodle”. The sweet and sour of Larsen’s big bold bari and Peplowski’s clarinet sure does feel good, though, as on’ “All The Things You Are” and the revealing “Black Night Gown” with Skinner adding some lines to the lingerie. And of course, anything Ellingtonian is going to sound marvelous, and the bottom heavy teaming of baritone and tenor hurts so good on ”In Sentimental Mood”. Palpable pleasures.