As leader, improviser and arranger, Joe Lovano brings together bop, post-bop and free jazz into a three-dimensional form that swings hard. Whether his tenor sax sandpapers a hard bop line or squeals like a bird on speed, he leans on the past while looking to the future. After hearing his most recent release, "On This Day . . at the Vanguard," one is tempted to conclude that they don't make records like this anymore, but they will.
Following up on the Grammy-winning "52nd Street Themes," "On This Day" captures live what he nailed in the studio three years ago with the same band. This live disc, though, expands on the group improvisation while preseving the fresh arrangments. Though best known for his post-bop outings (1994's "Quartets" and 1991's "From the Soul") and most surprising with his tribute to Enrico Caruso (2002's "Viva Caruso"), the midsize nonet on this recording probably has the broadest appeal for those looking for a recording that makes free jazz palatable and straight jazz wild.
Captured live at the New York's Village Vanguard last September, this recording exudes a relaxed and natural group feel. Much like the tight horn section of Supersax, a group that transcribed and orchestrated Charlie Parker solos, this is a big joyous group with a wide-open approach. Unlike Supersax, though, Lovano's conception of a big horn section draws from a broader and deeper pool of influences. The bits and pieces of sax giants and great leaders feel less like stolen fragments and more like natural directions to take.