Here are a pair of trio albums featuring Marty Krystall, who plays bass clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax, flute and alto flute in a wide variety of rich settings. Fresh and swinging!
Krystall leads an intriguing trio on what was Buell Neidlinger’s last recording, as he plays cello along with 7 string guitarist Howard Alden and leader Krystall on a collection of tunes by protobopper Herbie Nichols. Neidlinger and Alden create some rich bowing and picking as they take the spotlight on two takes of “Another Friend,” while with Krystall’s feathery flute they bop with aplomb on a wispy “Change of Seasy” and the ethereal “One Twilight.” Krystall’s bass clarinet lurkes on “The Happenings” and is sublime during “Valse Macabre” with the team bouncing with joy on “Old 52nd Street Rag.” This session is an absolutely creative delight!
Krystall’s trio with Mike ALvidrea/b and Fritz Wise/dr is dedicated to Neidlinger, and contains a healthy does of Nichols compositions as well, joining with originals and a couple bebop classics. The team is kinetic with the leader on tenor for Charlie Parker’s “Dexterity” as Alvidrez snaps everyone to attention, while Thelonious Monk’s “Coming on the Hudson” is an idiosyncratic delight as Krystall handles the theme on the bass clarinet. Krystall’s tenor is laconic on “Delights” and warm as an evening breezed during “Enrapture” and his alto is fluid on “Ina.” Original yet holding onto tradition.