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Cory Wright Unit: Apples + Oranges

By Mark Corroto
December 15, 2013
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In jazz, there are composers and there are soloists and, as they say, "never the twain shall meet." Okay, not impossible, but it is rare in modern jazz for a musician to be both an outstanding soloist and a talented arranger. Listening to Apples + Oranges by West Coast saxophonist Cory Wright, the challenge is to determine which of the two talents makes this a thriving and effective recording.

But then again, requiring one to choose will result in a false choice. I like both chocolate and peanut butter, and I love them together.

The disc opens with "Freddie Awaits The Sleepers," a piece that wouldn't be out of place in the 1959 repertoire of

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman. That is, if Ornette would have employed a trombonist. Rob Ewing's bone punches through the evanescent bebop passages while Evan Francis' alto saxophone shakes skittering notes. Wright's composition masquerades as unconfined, but it is actually a tightly woven composition. And so are the other seven pieces he penned here. "Whaticism" plays with time, bassist

Lisa Mezzacappa

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Lisa Mezzacappa soloing, then guiding the quintet through some challenging parts. The music alternately tangles complex arrangements with accommodating solos. Wright's saxophone is a resonant full-bodied sound that fits hand in glove with altoist Evan Francis. He plays both tenor saxophone and Bb clarinet here, delivering a brawny sound. One that has been featured in the bands of

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton,

Adam Rudolph

percussion
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Rudolph, Vinnie Golia, and

Yusef Lateef

woodwinds
1920 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Yusef Lateef.

The beauty of this session is the range of the music. Wright's music can encompass the ceremonial sounds of the "St. Bruno's" series, a semi-classical chamber jazz composition "Eyedrop," and "Low Impact Critter," a sort of "Carl Stalling" cartoon music tribute score. Apples + Oranges turns the wow factor to maximum.

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Track Listing

Freddie Awaits The Sleepers; Low Impact Critter; St. Bruno��s Preview; Whaticism; The Sea And Space; St. Bruno��s Review; Eyedrop; St. Bruno��s Purview.

Personnel

Cory Wright

saxophone

Cory Wright: tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet; Evan Francis: alto saxophone, flute; Rob Ewing: trombone; Lisa Mezzacappa: bass; Jordan Glenn: drums.

Album information

Title: Apples + Oranges | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Singlespeed Music

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