It’s a particularly propitious time to be a fan of saxophonist Eric Alexander. He’s on the wonderful Out Late. But it’s not Eric Scott Reed unlike that upcoming release on piano here on this latest from Canadian label Cellar Music.
So instead the effortlessly grooving Mike LeDonne just as often known as a Hammond organ player is to hand. You won’t need to worry about not knowing any of the tunes as there is a litter of well chosen classics here.
Being a huge John Coltrane fan I’m a sucker for ‘Wise One’ – it’s here, as is another all time fave, ‘Angel Eyes.’ Alexander is a softly swinging playing – pretty middle of the road in some ways but that doesn’t matter because his interpretations are sensitive and if you are at heart a romantic Alexander is for you.
The player is 56, hails from Illinois and studied at Indiana University and William Paterson College in New Jersey. He was second to Joshua Redman in the fiercely competitive 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition after which his career took off.
His albums appear on labels such as Delmark, Milestone and HighNote.
Dip into some Alexander albums
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Timing Is Everything (Cellar Music Group, 2024)
Quartet interplay and signature melodic phrasing.
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The Heavy Hitters (Cellar Music Group, 2023)
This sextet album features Alexander alongside Jeremy Pelt and Vincent Herring in a high-energy, hard-bop session.
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With Strings (HighNote Records, 2020)
A lush project where Alexander’s saxophone is paired with a string section, blending classic jazz with orchestral textures.
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Leap of Faith (Giant Step Arts, 2019)
A live album capturing Alexander in an adventurous, improvisational mood with a dynamic ensemble.
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Live Encounter (Ubuntu Music, 2019)
Recorded live in London, this album highlights Alexander’s powerful stage presence and rapport with an international band.
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Song of No Regrets (HighNote Records, 2017)
Praised by Downbeat, this album features original compositions and showcases Alexander’s lyrical approach to modern jazz.
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Second Impression (HighNote Records, 2016)
A sophisticated set of straight-ahead jazz, with Alexander’s tenor leading a seasoned quartet through both standards and originals.
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The Real Thing (HighNote Records, 2015)
This collaboration with guitarist Pat Martino delivers soulful, swinging jazz with intricate interplay.
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Chicago Fire (HighNote Records, 2014)
An energetic homage to Alexander’s roots, featuring a mix of classic tunes and fresh originals.
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It’s All In The Game (HighNote Records, 2006)
A critically acclaimed hard-bop album, demonstrating Alexander’s command of the jazz tradition and improvisational skill.
His strength is logical paraphrase of a motif or theme and there is a whole lot of tenderness here say on his elaborate chorus upon chorus of responses beyond the bridge to a fab treatment of ‘Angel Eyes.’ Among the players on this record the only musician I have heard live is drummer George Fludas one night at Ronnie Scott’s in 2004 when he was playing with Monty Alexander. So I know that Fludas is a powerful drummer who drives hard – he reminds me of Weather Report drummer Eric Gravatt. Bassist Dennis Carroll is ideal. OK it’s a blowing kind of date where the familiar is accentuated. But it works. I’m sure jazz radio stations in the States (where boomer programmers tend to go in for this kind of straightahead jazz more) looking for solidly swung heart of the tradition bebop and ballads rooted fare will be beating a trail in its direction. It’s only Easter. But all their Christmases have already come at once. Keep an eye on the Jazz Week chart which tracks these things to see how it does.
MORE FROM MARLBANK
- Shalosh, What We Are Made Of, ACT ***
- The Bad Plus, Chris Potter, Craig Taborn, Barbican, City of London ****
- Alexander Claffy, Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe), Cellar Music ****
- Paul Carrack, For One Night Only – Live in London, Carrack UK ***1/2
- Steve White trio, Soul Drums: The Jazz Sessions Vol. 1, Acid Jazz ****
