Mark Sowlakis: Universal Truths

The key universal truth that reed player Mark Sowlakis teaches here is that “tone is everything.” That’s a great lesson to learn for any musician, and whether it’s the clarinet, bass clarinet or soprano sax, and whether the music on this chamber styled jazz session is mellow or adventurous, you’ll hang in there with him and his guests because the sound is so inviting. He mixes and matches with other horn players such as  Perry Robinson/cl, Evan Francis-Jack Chandler-fl, George Young-ts, Phil Grenadier/tp and Paul Eastburn/b for a collection material that ranges from hints of Glazunov to West Coast cool Jimmy Giuffre. “Soprano Shape Shift” has a lithe quality to it, while “All That is Blues” is invitingly dark and reedy. At times the other universal truth of drums keeping time pop up in desire, but for the most part the cirrus clouds of reeds is completely satisfying.

Pacific Winds Musical Productions

www.marksowlakis.com