When you think of people that were true originals, Lennie Tristano is one of the forgotten renegades of modern jazz. Tenor saxist Mark Turner teams up with alto man Gary Foster to give tribute to the classic front line of Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh when they were in Tristano’s classic and highly original 1950s team. Most intriguing, and wise, is the fact that there is no pianist, as Tristano is simply implied here, allowing for the serpentine lines to glow all the more so.
Even wiser was the selection of the deft drummer Joe La Barbera and sublimely swinging Putter Smith for this 2003 concert in Claremont, CA. The spaciousness of the soft horns and wafting pulses are glorious on the lithe boppers “Background Music” and the slinkhy “’Teef” that combines La Barbera’s snappy sticks with Smith’s slithering line. La Barbera is like Fred Astaire as he brushes under the nimble Turner as he juts out on “Lennie’s Pennies” while Foster puffs out a longing and reflective smoke ring on “Come Rain Or Come Shine. “ Delicate reeds waft on “317 East 32nd Street” and the team sizzles like a Moroccan snake on the charmer of “Subconscious-Lee.” Almost all of the songs clock in at around 11-16 minutes, so there’s lots of room for soloing, yet every spotlight feels like a strong thread in a Raphael tapestry. A style and collection of ideas too long forgotten and underappreciated. Cool heat.