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Kevin Sun: Quartets

By Mark Corroto
November 2, 2024
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Sometimes, talent calls out, other times, it is acknowledged with a nod. For saxophonist and composer

Kevin Sun

saxophone, tenor
b.1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Sun, both are obvious. The mastery of his instrument is a given; it is just that his music is never flashy or overindulgent, thus the nod. That fact is evident in previous discs on his Endectomorph Music label; the live trio recording The Fate Odyssey The Tenor (2023), 3 Bird (2021), (Un)Seaworthy (2020) and The Sustain Of Memory (2019). Sun's growing discography is evidence of a dynamic musician with a thirsty mind.

Unsurprisingly, Quartets is no exception. The two-disc release features two separate lineups, with both only sharing the same bassist,

Walter Stinson

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Walter Stinson.

The first disc finds the tenor saxophonist with his longtime associates, pianist

Dana Saul

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dana Saul, drummer

Matt Honor

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Honor and Stinson. The compositions and ensemble performance are the central focus here. "Dance Notation" applies a

Philip Glass

composer / conductor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Philip Glass-esque procession over a disciplined arrangement. The quartet performs a mini-suite "Far East Western (Prelude)/Far East Western" followed by the ballad "Shadows Over the Sea." Both tracks feature some bewitching piano from Saul, and we get a gentle and lilting demonstration of Sun's command over his horn. Ditto for Sun on disc two with his cover of Lerner and Lowe's "On The Street Where You Live." Sun and Stinson are joined by pianist Christian Li and drummer

Kayvon Gordon

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kayvon Gordon playing in a more open style. The performances swing harder: "That Lights A Star" and "tbh." Sun displays his trademark wit with the clever bookended compositions "Heideggerdashian" and "Kierkegaardashian" both twisted limerick-like performances. Sun has talents on permanent loan from, let us say the solar deity.

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Track Listing

CD 1:
Dance Notation; Far East Western (Prelude); Far East Western; Shadows Over the Sea; Melpomene; And the Oscar Goes To; Storied History; Title Theme: The Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time).
CD 2:
Heideggerdashian; Homage Kondo; On the Street Where You Live; Rudderless Blues (0r, Obscure Motions; That Lights a Star; Outlawry; Tbh; Pixelate; Yellow Magic (Tong Poo); Estate; Kierkegaadashian.

Personnel

Kevin Sun

saxophone, tenor

Dana Saul

piano

Walter Stinson

bass

Matt Honor

drums

Christian Li

piano

Kayvon Gordon

drums

Album information

Title: Quartets | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Endectomorph Records

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