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Joey Berkley: More 'n Four

By Mark F. Turner
January 1, 2010
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A single listen to the pop/jazz standard "Nature Boy" is proof that saxophonist Joey Berkley's tenor is as robust and accomplished as they come. Living in New York since the late 1970s, the Canadian expat has survived and thrived in the "City That Never Sleeps"—performing with top musicians, running his own music company and teaching, while maintaining a couple of bands including the nine-piece jazz/funk Band, Funkasaurus Rex.

More 'n Four is a straight-ahead release—a continuation and extension of his debut quartet release, Made in NYC (A-Records, 1999)—that is steeped in the sounds of saxophone greats

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Dexter Gordon,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane and

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker, as well as younger players including

Wayne Escoffery

saxophone, tenor
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Escoffery and

Jerome Sabbagh

saxophone, tenor
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerome Sabbagh. The purpose and passion is heard through Berkley's continuing artistic expression, one that balances a powerful tone with glowing lyricism.

The same treatment of "Nature Boy"—once sung by the superb crooner

Nat King Cole

piano and vocals
1919 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat King Cole—is present in Berkeley's reeded voice—the familiar shimmering glissando (with horn section), as the saxophonist's horn sings the gorgeous melody. Things move to full uptown swing with "Push," the momentum provided by ace rhythm section

Joris Teepe

bass, acoustic
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Joris Teepe (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums) and Gary Deinstadt (drums). "Naked Flight"'s modality is just as hip; a blues with street swagger.

The band shines again on another tune sung by Cole, the classic "The More I See You." The dexterity and emotion of Berkeley's solo sends shivers up and down the spine. While his soprano's tonality is not as impressive, he still has the juice on "The Alamo," but it's tunes such as "Don't Look Down" that prove his abilities as a player, writer and arranger of multiple voices and intricate rhythmic changes.

The icing on this cake is applied liberally on "Is There No Escape," where Tony Jefferson's drumming and searing tenor obliterate the heady bop tune. Berkeley is serious. Let's have more of More 'n Four.

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Track Listing

Nature Boy; Push; Naked Flight; Unsung; The More I See You; The Alamo; Don't Look Down; A Peace Missing; Is There No Escape?

Personnel

Joey Berkley

saxophone, tenor

Joey Berkley: tenor and soprano saxophones; Gary Deinstadt: piano; Joris Teepe: bass; Tony Jefferson: drums; Lew Soloff: trumpet; Tom Christensen: tenor sax; Larry Farrell: trombone; Chris Komer: French horn; Ed Xiques: baritone sax; Loren Stillman: alto sax.

Album information

Title: More 'n Four | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced

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