The immunization I received against the soprano saxophone from Kenny G was thought to be permanent. Then along came Dave Anderson to break the spell with his debut recording, Clarity (Aug.1). Bassist Rufus Reid is quoted in the liner notes, “It’s great to hear someone care for the soprano saxophone.”
I agree. Anderson also plays the alto sax on this CD.
The Dave Anderson Quartet includes John Hansen on piano, Chuck Kistler on bass, and Adam Kessler on drums. For Clarity, Thomas Marriott (on flugelhorn) sits in with the group on track two, “Wabi-Sabi”. With the exception of two tracks, one and eight, Anderson composed all the music here. He began playing alto sax at age eleven and has become proficient on all members of the saxophone family of instruments. He’s played numerous jazz festivals and worked with such artists as Gene Bertoncini and Mel Torme. After ten years in the New York City music scene, he moved to the West Coast in 2005 and now calls Seattle home.
The CD begins with three notes from Kistler’s bass. They are repeated and then joined by drums and piano then Anderson comes in to introduce the melody. The combination is like a sunrise on a clear day. Anderson’s sax seems to dance — and makes you want to join in. Then back to Hansen on piano with a statement of what’s to come. He shines throughout the album on his solos and improvs and compliments the others throughout.
The crisp clear voice of Marriott’s flugelhorn is spotlighted in track two and makes this reviewer wish that jazz groups offered more frequent opportunities for this instrument. The unique sounds of the flugelhorn add a distinct charm to “Wasi-Sabi”, the first of Anderson’s compositions that we hear on the album.
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