One of the more important tenor saxists of this generation is Walter Smith III. Through the years, his sound has evolved to become a warm fog, almost akin to a Millennial and post bop Lester Young. Here are two of his recent forays, both as a partner in heavy company.
Smith III is a member of the band In Common, consisting of Matthew Stevens/g, Joel Ross/vib, Harish Rahavan/b and longtime associate Marcus Gilmore/dr. The moods range from fairly free environs such as “About 360” and “Unconditional Love” to bouncy material such as “Baron.” A couple duets are real treats with Ross and Raghaven creating a nice conversation on “Foreward” and one featuring Smiths rich mood on the opening “Freefive.” Some impressive guitar work by Stevens is featured on the oblique “Unsung” and Smith is gorgeously lamenting for “ACE.” Rich conversations and dialogues.
All star drummer Bill Stewart leads a trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and Walter Smith III on this nine song album dominated by his tunes. The pulses are lithe and suave, with Smith’s soft and airy tone floating in perfectly on material such as “Band Menu.” Stewart provides clever undercurrents throughout, laconic on the mallets for “Invocation” and creating a hip little staccato pace on “Modern.” He peps everyone up on the post bop driver “Good Goat” and his high hat is frisky for Grenadier on “Hair and Teeth.” Grenadier snaps to “Think Before You Think,” while on Smith III’s “Apollo” he is rich and pastoral to the tenor saxists impressionistic water colors and sighs with the saxist on a moody take of Bill Evans’ “Re: Person I Knew.” Jazz for the Debussy-ite.