The Warrior in Bloomington, MN

Vibist
Carl Leukaufe
, a Chicago
jazz
scene veteran, was half a century into his playing career when he made his recording debut as a leader with the 1996 release
Warrior
. It's an engaging set of mainstream
bop
that gives
Leukaufe
deserved exposure. Happy to submit to comparison with his contemporary,
Milt Jackson
,
shares
Bag
's fluid, deceptively easygoing style, although his facility as an improviser is a notch behind
Jackson
's legendary abilities in this department. The session is equally noteworthy as a group effort: the personalities of the two groups here with
shine through to bring a good measure of distinctiveness to the performances of mostly
standards
. Pianist
Jodie Christian
's elegant chops and tenor player
Lin Halliday
's vintage tone (out of
Don Byas
via
Sonny Rollins
) are featured on five tracks, including good versions of
Rollins
'
"Airegin,"
Miles Davis
"Veird Blues,"
and the
standard
"Star Eyes."
Joe Iaco
is the pianist in the other group, which also includes the fine trombonist
Kevin Quail
; both are heard to good effect on a languid version of
Thelonious Monk
's
"Pannonica"
and a welcome airing of
Oscar Pettiford
"Tricotism."
There are also a handful of good originals: one each from the leader,
Iaco
, and drummer
Robert Barry
. The familiar paths traveled on
may not offer new vistas, but the playing is strong and committed, the sound is good, and the tracks pulse with a vitality that keeps the music fresh and energized. ~ Jim Todd