There is a long tradition of "saxophone battles" in jazz with duos such as
Dexter Gordon
and
Wardell Gray
or
Sonny Rollins
John Coltrane
performing together in a kind of sporting joust of abilities, a gentleman's contest for who is the better player. On the 2012 concert album
Friendly Fire: Live at Smoke
, tenor saxophonist
Eric Alexander
and alto saxophonist
Vincent Herring
join in this tradition with a swinging, passionate set of standards recorded live at the respected N.Y.C. venue. The album is actually a re-pairing of the duo, who first sparred on 2005's
Battle: Live at Smoke
. This time around they spar over such numbers as
Hank Mobley
's "Pat 'N' Chat,"
McCoy Tyner
's "Inception," the standard "You've Changed," as well as
Herring
's own "Timothy," among others. Backing the saxophonists here are pianist
Mike LeDonne
, bassist
John Webber
, and drummer
Carl Allen
. This is a lively and exciting session of adventurous and old-school straight-ahead jazz. ~ Matt Collar