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Benjamin Drazen: Inner Flights

By Raul d'Gama Rose
April 19, 2011
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Inside Benjamin Drazen is an old soul, nestling cheek-by-jowl in a fertile mind, brimful with new ideas that undulate and flow beautifully from his alto saxophone. That he is able to take control of this force, and harness its power to open a virtual door to the temple of his muses—running the gamut of saxophonists from

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker to

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, and almost certainly including the mighty

Johnny Hodges

saxophone, alto
1907 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Hodges—speaks volumes about his mature craftsmanship. He has something else that shines throughout the rather introspective Inner Flights: a vortex of energy that bursts through the music like a gathering flood, inhabiting both the hearts and minds of anyone who falls under his spell.

The album opens with "Mr. Twilight," a scorching modal romp that recalls, at times, Coltrane's "Giant Steps" for all of its unbridled energy, and the wall of sound that passes through Drazen's hands, as well as pianist

Jon Davis

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Davis, bassist

Carlo De Rosa

bass
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlo De Rosa and drummer

Eric McPherson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric McPherson. But it is Drazen who lights up the chart, with the dancing phrases and lines that dapple his solo. On this and other charts, the saxophonist shows himself to be a sublime intellect, creating highly literate musical excursions, navigating with lively expression and feeling. He is also capable of being playful, as his composition, "Monkish," suggests, although this chart finds Davis playing the more stellar role, dazzling with his two-handed technique, as well as a history lesson in pianism, from stride to contemporary atonalism.

Drazen's premier work, in terms of composition, seems to be more inward-looking, including the achingly beautiful "Prayer for Brothers Gone By" and the lilting "Neeney's Waltz," which the saxophonist absolutely lights up with a solo that unfolds in diaphanous swirls, and is a seemingly unstoppable flow of ideas belying sheer genius. His reading of Jimmy Van Heusen's classic, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," takes after a version that

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell made famous at Massey Hall, Toronto in 1955. This is an elementally sad version, showing Drazen to be unafraid of wearing his emotions on his proverbial sleeve.

Although he plays mainly alto saxophone, Drazen can also be heard on soprano on the title track. His handling of the higher pitched horn is wry, playing with an almost reverential notion that it belongs in elite circles, including not just Coltrane, but a handful of giants from

Sidney Bechet

saxophone, soprano
1897 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Sidney Bechet to

Steve Lacy

saxophone, soprano
1934 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Lacy and

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter. Drazen chooses to add depth and color on a couple of charts, by overdubbing tracks with short bursts on tenor. However, it is on the alto that Drazen displays his finest mastery of tone and texture. His work on this impressive album shows him to daub his music from a truly wide palette of not just colors, but sheer creative ideas. All of this makes for brilliant inner flights.

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Track Listing

Mr. Twilight; Monkish; Prayer For Brothers Gone; Jazz Heaven; Inner Flights; Neeney's Waltz; This Is New; Kickin' Up Dirt; Polka Dots And Moonbeams.

Personnel

Benjamin Drazen

saxophone

Benjamin Drazen: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jon Davis: piano; Carlo De Rosa: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Album information

Title: Inner Flights | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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