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Shawn Costantino: Waltz for Anne

By C. Michael Bailey
February 18, 2011
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Finally! A collection of Adult Contemporary jazz that has something to say and knows how to say it. Nothing signals oncoming Muzak more than jazz propelled by electric bass, guitar, and piano. Fortunately, multi-reedist Shawn Costantino slays those dragons of jazz prejudice early in his self-produced Waltz for Anne, with an incendiary cover of

The Beatles

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love." Costantino takes

Art Pepper

saxophone, alto
1925 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Pepper's comment, "never open the show with a ballad," to heart, blowing the doors off with a funky shot of plutonium from the guitar of Andrew Synowiec and his own tenor saxophone, immediately recalling

Eddie Harris

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Harris and

King Curtis

saxophone
1934 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">King Curtis by way of

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker. Synowiec is given full latitude to scorch the earth with his flame-throwing solo, with keyboardist Lincoln Cleary completing the funk attack on organ.

But the leader is not far away. Costantino elbows his way to the front with an understated blowing session introduction to his solo, which he builds to note-spitting crescendo. Taking a hard right, Costantino recasts the Catholic hymn, "Whatever You Do," as a moody, impressionist

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner/

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock-like tone poem, full of spirit and grace. Cleary's Fender Rhodes so adds the closing touch to this well-imagined, not-so-standard standard. The saxophonist follows this with another surprise in

James Taylor

guitar and vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely." Costantino plays full-throated, Lenny Pickett-style, wringing all the R&B he can from his horn.

Costantino's more experimental fare works as well. "The Transplant" is a circuitous swim through an extended head into a fully scripted body of a song, before dropping off into the solo sections, buoyed by Cleary and Synowiec, bassist

David Hughes

bass, electric
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">David Hughes and drummer Jen Kuross. Costantino does the lion-share of the soloing, taking the opportunity to fully explore the piece. He then allows the rhythm section out for a fast ride before tying things up neatly. The title tune recalls

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans' waltzes: light and ethereal, with thought-like wisps of cold smoke smelling of Chanel and Alsace.

"The Touch of Your Lips" is the closest thing to a standard on Waltz for Ann. Costantino duets with Cleary in a slightly anxious approach, with the rest of the band insinuating itself into the song. It offers a perfect look at what fine song development is. "Song for Ryan" and "Bailout" close the disc with two well-conceived presentations, the first featuring Hughes and the second Kuross. This is immediately accessible music demanding an audience. The energy Costantino and company bring to this disc beckons more...more.

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Track Listing

Can't By Me Love; Whatever You Do; Don't Let Me Be Lonely; The Transplant; Waltz for Anne; The Touch Of Your Lips; Song for Ryan; Bailout.

Personnel

Shawn Costantino

Shawn Costantino: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet. Andrew Synowiec: guitar. Lincoln Cleary: piano, fender rhodes, organ. Jens Kuross: drums. David Hughes: bass.

Album information

Title: Waltz for Anne | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Self Produced

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