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Dan Jonas: The Spirituality Suite
ByDan Jonas
trumpetAll well and good, but how does the music sound? For the most part, rather amiable and engaging, actually, with some discord and special effects thrown in to make sure the listener is paying attention. Once past the "concept," what remains is a pretty respectable jazz quintet plying its trade on a series of compositions by Jonas whose titles mirror the album's over-arching theme, from "Daniel, in the Lion's Den" to the closing "Requiem for the Soul." Jonas is a perceptive soloist who knows his chord changes, while tenor saxophonist

Levi Saelua
saxophoneb.1990

Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor1949 - 2007

Joe Lovano
drumsb.1952

George Garzone
saxophone, tenorb.1950

Ben Markley
pianob.1981
Steve Lyman
drumsAlthough much of the music is decorous and even-tempered, there are moments of intensity and excitement, as on "Daniel," "Salvation" and "The March to War." Most of the dissonance is confined to "The Altar of Intellect," while special effects are used productively on "The Fermi Paradox" (with Saelua doubling on bass clarinet, as he does on "Salvation"). Jonas has a good ear for melody, and none of his themes disappoints in that respect, nor are there any rhythmic lapses. Premise aside, a well- planned and meticulously performed small-group session with much to recommend it. ">
Track Listing
Daniel, In the Lion's Den; Salvation; The Altar of Intellect; The March to War; The Politics of Power; Charon, the Ferryman; The Fermi Paradox; Requiem for the Soul
Personnel
Album information
Title: The Spirituality Suite | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced
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