Jeff Lederer

The most recent in a series of idiosyncratic musical projects, American alto saxophonist/clarinetist Jeff Lederer has arranged a showcase for the unknown or neglected through composed music of innovative saxophonists Oliver Nelson (1932-1975), Eric Dolphy (1928-1964) and Ornette Coleman (1930-2015). Since Lederer is foremost a Jazz musician, known for his work with Matt Wilson, Allison Miller as well as his own bands, he has reshaped and material however.

Involved in earlier quirky projects like linking Albert Ayler tunes with sea shanties, the reedist took the notion still further. Thus There’s a Yearnin’ divides in two. The three movements of Coleman’s Forms and Sounds, Dolphy’s Wind Sextet and his own composition “Cruxifiction (not a word)” are strictly instrumental with improvised interludes by Lederer and members of the the Wildebeest Wind Quintet: Nathan Koci (French horn); Mike McGinnis (clarinet); Katie Scheele (oboe); Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon) and Michel Gentile (flute). The final quarter of Nelson’s career was divided between pop and progressive commissions and Mary LaRose has added words which she sings on five Nelson melodies. and sings them. With a pleasant contralto voice and a gift for snappy Jon Hendricks-like lyrical transformation, her renditions are matched with rippling wind  harmonies with emphasis on lustrous French horn vamps and flute puffs. Even the downbeat title tune is given a near swing cadence in her rendition.

While it’s puzzling that the three movements of Coleman’s “Forms and Sounds” are scattered throughout the disc, rather than played sequentially interpretations are of equal quality. Lederer’s arrangements cunningly use the timbral prism available from the reed-brass meld to harmonize as well as to stack note-bending interludes and spiky or soothing intonation to define sequences. As well improvised sections from Lederer’s alto saxophone  on “Forms and Sounds, mvt. 2”  as well as the French hornist’s half-valve flutters, the bassoonist’s padded smears and McGinnis’ stately tones add needed grain to the re3nditions. The contrast between the precise and solemn exposition  and Gentile’s trilling coloration also define the Dolphy composition.

“Cruxifiction (not a word)”, the CD’s longest track, fits snugly with the other tunes. Moderated vibrations, sympathetic motifs, intertwined puffs and glissandi plus electronic sourced vocal and instrumental oscillations suggest full orchestra ebb and flow and wrap each timbre into an ambulating whole.

Fascinating in its assumptions, though not always fulfilled throughout, the quality of the disc affirm that Lederer should continue advancing such emblematic projects.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Forms and Sounds, mvt. 1 2. Images 3. Nocturne 4. Forms and Sounds, mvt. 2 5. Woodwind Sextet, mvt. 2 6. There’s a Yearnin’ 7. Three Seconds 8. Cruxifiction (not a word) 9. Forms and Sounds, mvt. 3 10. Lem and Aide

Personnel: Jeff Lederer (alto saxophone and clarinet); the Wildebeest Wind Quintet: Nathan Koci (French horn); Mike McGinnis (clarinet); Katie Scheele (oboe); Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon); Michel Gentile (flute) and Mary LaRose (vocals and lyrics)