A craving for innovation and a fusion of blends seems to drive present day jazz, and so, "Songs of the Saxophone", recorded in a piano trio, casts aside any trends, militancies and obediences that have little to do with the pleasure of true art and offers instead the best possible music to listen to.
Jeb Patton leads from the piano with a formation that includes bassist Ignasi González and drummer Joe Strasser. The latter provides one of the most solid rhythmic presences in current jazz, and the trios collective experience and shared musicianship has resulted in this quality album.
The concept of "Songs of the Saxophone" is both perfectly drawn and original. It brings the compositions of great saxophonists to the jazz trio, from Charlie Parker and John Coltrane to instrumentalists and strong musical personalities, such as, Charles McPherson, Gigi Grice and, among others, the essential Benny Carter. It includes a composition of Patton’s own, perhaps as a counterpoint to his selection of a repertoire of such clear instrumental origins.
Patton leads each of the pieces to its conclusion, with the eloquence that has always characterized him as a pianist. The legacy of acoustic modern jazz permeates this album, and its timelessness is nestled in this aesthetic choice. The jazz that we’ve known always, and that is somewhat on the margin of contemporary trends, emerges in this album with a beauty and intensity, providing everything you need to guarantee meaning and worth to present-day listening.
Josep Ramón Jové