Saxophone Mosaic in Bloomington, MN

Gary Smulyan
has gradually emerged as one of the top successors to the deep-toned baritonist
Pepper Adams
. For this Cross Cross CD
Smulyan
uses a saxophone section partly drawn from the
Mel Lewis
Orchestra (
Dick Oatts
on alto and soprano, altoist
Billy Drewed
, tenors
Ralph Lalama
and
Richie Perry
and baritonist
Scott Robinson
) and a fine rhythm section. The arrangements of
Bob Belden
are a major factor in the date's success as he successfully revives a variety of obscurities from the 1950s including
Quincy Jones
's
"Stockholm Sweetnin',"
Johnny Carisi
's "Springsville" and
Horace Silver
's "Speculation" in colorful fashion. Whlie some of the songs are primarily features for
, the other saxophonists also have their chances to be heard and, even if the liner notes unfortunately do not identify the exact soloists, this is a well-conceived and easily recommended bop session. ~ Scott Yanow