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Nicole McCabe: Introducing Nicole McCabe
ByThis is precisely what Portland-based alto saxophonist

Nicole McCabe
saxophone, alto
George Colligan
multi-instrumentalistb.1969

Charlie Porter
trumpetb.1978
Jon Lakey
bass, acoustic
Alan Jones
drumsb.1962
Beginning in quartet mode, McCabe's "You're Missing the Point" tells us most of what we need to know about her playing going forward on this record. It features her marvelous facility, exceptional range and ardent tonality, but more so, the artistry that is unreliant on virtuosity, and living within the melodic context of the moment. She ups the ante a bit for "Upward" (pun intended), adding Porter's luxurious tone, with the two reworking the melody behind the driving energy of this superb rhythm section. Colligan's elegant comping, and brilliant solo work is alone worth giving this album a listen. In combination with Lakey's bottom-end groove, and Jones playing at his freewheeling best, a wide berth is given for McCabe to play freely within.
"Coeur d'Alene" takes the music in a different direction, a samba-influenced piece that finds McCabe in a more reflective space. That space becomes that much more intimate, with McCabe finding herself in duo with Colligan, interpreting the Carl Fischer standard, "You've Changed." The altoist plays bittersweet, evoking the melancholy emotions of the tune as a vocalist might.
Colligan contributes as a composer as well, offering "Lunar," a haunting melody that the pianist takes to the edge before the band slowly falls into a hard-bop groove directly in the center of McCabe's comfort zone. Her solo comprised of harmonic bursts, probing melodic inquiries, and a headfirst dive into fiery chromaticism represents her most inventive playing on the album. Colligan's support is slight, abrupt and intuitive between McCabe's adventurous lines.
The alto saxophone has a certain vibrational resonance that is so very different from the tenor. McCabe does an admirable job of avoiding the associated alto-ish cliches that attach themselves to the legacies of

Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto1920 - 1955

Cannonball Adderley
saxophone1928 - 1975

Ornette Coleman
saxophone, alto1930 - 2015

Eric Dolphy
woodwinds1928 - 1964
Track Listing
You're Missing the Point; Instinct; Upward; Scrabble; Tidal; Coeur d'Alene; You've Changed; Lunar
Personnel
Nicole McCabe
saxophone, altoGeorge Colligan
multi-instrumentalistCharlie Porter
trumpetJon Lakey
bass, acousticAlan Jones
drumsAlbum information
Title: Introducing Nicole McCabe | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Minaret
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