1. January Dream
2. Joy's Secret
3. The Infant's Song
4. Cup Bearers
5. The Observer
6. Acceptance
7. Makai and Tacoma
8. Big Jim's Twins
9. Barfly
10. Closing Arguments
Jon Irabagon - Alto sax (tenor sax on tracks 5 and 7)
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet (tracks 2 and 8)
Kenny Barron - Piano (except track 9)
Bertha Hope - Piano (track 9)
Rufus Reid - Double bass (except track 9)
Victor Lewis - Drums (except track 9)
Jon Irabagon, an Illinois native of Filipino descent, won the 2008
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in Los Angeles. Part
of the prize was a recording contract with Concord and this CD is
the first under this arrangement. Irabagon has the added `prize' of
the former Stan Getz rhythm section of Messrs. Barron, Reid and Lewis
to accompany him plus the legendary Rudy van Gelder as recording engineer.
On the sleeve of this CD, Irabagon is pictured with a tenor sax, which is odd as he plays alto on all but two tracks. He admits to being influenced by Parker, Adderley and Stitt and I was reminded also of Phil Woods when he plays in the lower register. In the upper register, Irabagon's alto sound is astringent, even a touch dissonant at times. On this CD, I much preferred the two tracks where he plays tenor and on which he has a warmer approach.
Seven of the tracks are Irabagon originals - the exceptions being Gigi Gryce's reflective The Infant's Song, Tom McIntosh's uptempo Cup Bearers, and Elmo Hope's Barfly on which Irabagon is accompanied only by Hope's widow, Bertha. The originals range from the attractive Joy's Secret' to the rambling and repetitive Closing Arguments. The trumpeter Nicholas Payton contributes thoughtful solos on the former and on Big Jim's Twins. But it's that magnificent rhythm section that takes the honours here. From the enticing loping rhythm of the first few bars, the trio lay down a wonderfully solid base as well as contributing several excellent solos.
It will be interesting to see which saxophone Irabagon favours in future, but, on this evidence, I hope it will be the tenor.
George Stacy
CD Reviews
Concord CJA 31319-02
