Here’s a tenor sax player that’s going to go right into the John Coltrane of your heart. Canadian based saxist Ryan Oliver teams up with drummer extraordinaire Victor Lewis as well as ready at the helm Gary Williamson/p and Alex Coleman/b for a collection of original compositions that mix the passion of mid period ‘Trane with modern sensibilities. A haunting rubato “Thousand Miles” spotlights Oliver’s rich and yearning tone, while bop is in the blood on “Strive!” and the infectious boogalooing “Eddie.” Hipper than hep rhythms are red meat for this guy on “Crescent City Stomp” and “Ready Roll” while he gets as fluffy as a Nimbus cloud on “For You.” Williamson’s piano is in glorious form on “Taurus” and Lewis snaps, sizzles and pops throughout like a Rice Krispy. You’ll want this one!
Ontario Arts Council