Once a shining light on the NY downtown jazz scene, alto/soprano saxophonist Epstein returns with a new, exceptionally coherent quartet whose members have been performing together in different configurations for the better part of two decades, featuring Ralph Alessi, trumpet/cornet, Sam Minaie, bass, and Mark Ferber, drums. The group’s shared language and clarity of communication is nuanced and powerful, with a dynamic that ranges from subtle introspection to roaring ferocity. Epstein is head of the jazz program at UNR in Reno, and his music integrates a lot of jazz history (echoes of Ornette’s original quartet for example), and occasionally world music feels, into a beautiful whole. Alessi is himself a well-known leader, his latest release is on ECM. Open, dynamic audiophile sound.

Track list:

1. Polarity

2. Tiny Expanding Universe

3. Forever Now

4. Old Yarn

5. Email From Nigeria

6. Aholdu

7. Constance

8. Hurtle

9. Stillness

Track Listing

• Polarity
• Tiny Expanding Universe
• Forever Now
• Old Yarn
• Email from Nigeria
• Aholdu
• Constance
• Hurtle
• Stillness

Additional Details

Label: Songlines

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 66 mins

Release Date: 01/26/14

UPC: 774355160725