If you’ve ever read any jazz articles, I can guarantee you’ve seen Zan Stewart’s name on reviews in publications such as the LA Times and Downbeat. Now I see why he’s been such an astute judge of talent, as he’s been a closet tenor sax player all these years, and lo and behold, here’s his debut disc! His middle heavy weight and bluesy tone show his allegiance to the likes of Hank Mobley and Sonny Rollins, with rich sub tones, and old school breathiness blowing in like a fresh breeze on boppers such as his own “Daddy’s Blue Song” or Charlie Parker’s “Diverse.” He teams up with a group of kindred spirits in Keith Saunders/p, Adam Gay/b and Ron Marabuto/dr, and they all sound like they’re having the time of their lives on the playful take of Pat Boone’s signature “Love Letters” and the Latin Lover “Gal’s Around The Hood.” Saunders is a 52nd Street orphan, snapping on a standard like “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and Bud Powell’s “Webb City.” Stewart shows some moxie by going it all alone on “Mobe’s Symphony/Everything Happens to Me” and he sounds like in tenor heaven. Impressive!
Maybe I’ll take my Selmer Mark VI out and…
Mobo Dog Records