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Carn Davidson 9: Reverence

By Jack Bowers
February 11, 2025
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The Carn Davidson 9 is a Toronto, Canada-based nonet co-led by trombonist

William Carn

trombone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">William Carn and saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Davidson whose fourth studio album, Reverence, encompasses a pair of four-part suites, one written by Carn, the other by Davidson. What is most interesting —over and above the depth and quality of the music—is that the suites are not performed sequentially but interspersed, with the first two of Davidson's themes followed by a pair of Carn originals before alternating on the remaining four numbers.

Every song is thematic, with Carn's rhythmic Pan-American Suite saluting his Latin American heritage (he is part Costa Rican) and his love for Brazilian music while Davidson's multicolored four-movement Saxophonists Suite pays homage to fellow woodwind masters

Dick Oatts

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Dick Oatts (an impressive guest soloist on the opening "Fire"),

Joshua Redman

saxophone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Joshua Redman,

Christine Jensen

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Christine Jensen and

Kenny Garrett

saxophone, alto
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Garrett. Carn solos impeccably on his own "If Not Now, Then When?" and Davidson's "Wonderment," while Davidson does likewise on Carn's perky "Sa��de."

Good as they are, however, Carn and Davidson are resolutely shadowed by tenor

Kelly Jefferson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Kelly Jefferson and drummer

Ernesto Cervini

drums
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ernesto Cervini on "Groove (for Joshua)," trumpeters

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Turcotte ("Wonderment") and

Jason Logue

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Logue (Carn's "Just Because"), Jefferson again (Carn's "Florencio") and baritone

Shirantha Beddage

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Shirantha Beddage (on Davidson's buoyant finale, "Joy," dedicated to Garrett). In the end, however, the soloists—no matter how persuasive—must assign the lion's share of credit for the over-all performance to the impressive charts and superb ensemble proficiency that lend the album much of its validity and charm. In sum, an above- average straight-ahead session with few less-than-pleasing moments.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Fire (For Oatts); Groove (For Joshua); If Not Now, Then When?; Sa��de; Wonderment (for C.J.); Just Because; Florencio; Joy (For Kenny).

Personnel

Carn Davidson 9

band / ensemble / orchestra

Tara Davidson

saxophone, alto

Kelly Jefferson

saxophone, tenor

Shirantha Beddage

saxophone, baritone

Jason Logue

trumpet

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet

William Carn

trombone

Christian Overton

trombone

Andrew Downing

bass

Ernesto Cervini

drums

Dick Oatts

saxophone, alto

Mark Kelso

drums

Album information

Title: Reverence | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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