The one challenger to Chris Potter's position as Tenor Wunderkind is Eric Alexander, who has gradually and surely risen to a respectably high position within jazz's next generation. Two albums this year showcased his formidable talents.
His fourth album as a leader for Milestone finds him with his mentor, pianist Harold Mabern, the great bass godfather Ron Carter, and Alexander's mate from One For All, drummer Joe Farnsworth. This straight-up collection is an improvement on his previous CD, Summit Meeting, in that he explores a greater range of music with more clarity and energy. The title cut has vestiges of Paul Desmond's smooth dexterity but with the richer tone and rhythm of Michael Brecker. "Cold Smoke" presents Alexander within a blues motif ala Coltrane (a major influence), and "Nemesis" proves that, for raw power and drive, no one can really compete. And listen to Carter on "Island"; every note is perfect.
One For All, the ensemble that Alexander, his trumpet partner Jim Rotondi and pianist David Hazeltine assemble for periodic recording and tours, released its fourth album for Criss Cross this past year, and, like its predecessors, it travels freely within the post bop world, revisiting jazz standards and exploring new compositions. Rotondi is one of the finest trumpet players around; think Art Farmer with the shine of Booker Little.
Hazeltine has been a favored studio musician for over a decade and has gained increased critical acclaim for his trios and quartets. Trombonist Steve Davis always brings interesting compositions built upon blues idioms. Live, these guys really smoke and a lot of that energy is also transferred to their studio work. In Alexander's case, it is intriguing to compare the sextet's versions of "Nemesis" and "Cold Smoke" to those on Nightlife. Like Monk, redundant perhaps, but never boring.
