When acclaimed Denver saxophonist Keith Oxman joined forces
with the legendary David Liebman, magic happened. Glimpses, out September 21,
2018 on Capri Records, offers listeners more than just a few quick looks at the
musical partnership between the two saxophonists. On eight meaty tracks the
pair demonstrates virtuosic technique, remarkable musicality, and an
astonishing camaraderie.
For more than four decades Oxman listened to and transcribed
solos from many jazz greats like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. Among his
first transcriptions was one of Liebman's recordings. Through a former student
he was able to connect with Liebman's daughter, then the man himself. The two
developed a mutual respect, rapport, and friendship that shines brightly on
Glimpses. With Oxman on tenor sax and Liebman on soprano and tenor, the artists
approach the music with intelligence, sensitivity, and joy. They are ably
backed throughout by Oxman's working band with pianist Jeff Jenkins, bassist
Ken Walker, and drummer Todd Reid.
Both Oxman and Liebman are devotees of the late, great John
Coltrane, a connection which cements their combined sound. "I really
enjoyed Keith's compositions that have challenging and interesting harmonic
twists and turns, always framed with lyrical, melodic content." says
Liebman.
The conversational, musically sensitive relationship between
Oxman and Liebman is established on the record's opening track, Oxman's
"Shai," in which the horns interact with solo licks and unison
statements before breaking off in hard swinging solos. The exquisite ballad
"Lenny," another Oxman original, follows with Liebman's smoky soprano
saxophone joined by Oxman's sweet tenor. Oxman's "Trane's Pal" pays
homage to the inspirational John Coltrane with a punchy head followed by
wailing, bop-inspired solos.
Liebman takes the reins on the Ellington classic "In a
Sentimental Mood," showing off his masterful musicianship and sense of fun
in a duet with pianist Jenkins, whose wistful, extended piano solo leads into
Liebman's expressive, searching rendition of the time-honored melody.
"Afreaka" by Cedar Walton has Oxman and Liebman trading eights and
grooving to a world beat. On Oxman's upbeat "Louminus," the pair
exploit the range of their instruments with guttural low notes and wailing
altissimo. Oxman alone is featured on the deep catalogue standard "I Sold
My Heart to the Junkman" by Leon Rene, and his expressive horn sings on
the gorgeous melody. The album closes with the title track
"Glimpses," a Liebman original that delivers a powerful
double-barreled saxophone tour de force.
Glimpses is a remarkable achievement, bringing together one
saxophonist and his trio with a horn legend who remains as receptive to and
excited about the music as ever. "I love this process and the ensuing bond
that develops so quickly when jazz musicians interact," says Liebman. That
bond is evident all over Glimpses, which brims with lyrical melodies,
surprising harmonics, fantastic solos, and masterful horn playing.
From the tender age of 12 when he first picked up a tenor
sax given to him by a cousin, Denver native Keith Oxman spent his musical
career studying jazz greats like Sonny Stitt, Mel Torme, Louis Bellson, Phil
Woods, Buddy Rich, Tom Harrell, Jack McDuff, Joe Bonner, and many others. This
is Keith's 10th album on the Capri over the last 24 years.
NEA Jazz Master David Liebman is considered a renaissance
man in contemporary music with a career stretching nearly fifty years. He has
played with masters including Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea, John
McLaughlin, McCoy Tyner, and others, authored books and instructional DVDs
which are acknowledged as classics in the jazz field, and recorded as a leader
in styles ranging from classical to rock and free jazz. He has performed on over 500 recordings with
over 200 as a leader/co-leader featuring several hundred original compositions.
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