JAY ROSEN QUARTET
Canticles for the New Millennium
CIMP
211

There are no certainties in life (except death and taxes, I am told), but with a frontline of Vinny Golia, Paul Smoker, and Mark Whitecage, Jay Rosen has about as sure as things come these days. My usual pessimism had me wondering if Rosen would utilize the skills of this all-star lineup with respect of their musicality.

I am happy to admit that I was not disappointed. Beginning with the opening "Intro Please," Smoker's flowing lines and Golia's selfless clarinet comping are easily accessible to even a novice to free form improvisation. Golia is one hell of a team player, playing a supportive role throughout the twelve plus minute opener as Whitecage and Smoker create an uproar by feverishly dueling with one another. All the while, Rosen's drums provide annotations that suit the moment, even if a bit more volumed than I would have liked. "Ah Stenato!" starts a bit subdued, but then amps into a changed performance with jagged alto improvisations from Whitecage having at it with Smoker yet again with Rosen's dense support lingering ever so prominently in the background. Rosen does get in a couple of drum solo pieces ("Blue Suede Moon" and "Drum Hands"), but the quartet programs are the most compelling.

My one candle wish is that these four musicians will return in another engagement, this time giving more space to Golia.

Fred Jung

Track Listing: 1. Intro Please; 2. Blue Suede Moon; 3. Ah Stenato!; 4. Pia Misses Moe; 5. Drum Hands; 6. Good Morning; 7. Two Points Made; 8. Smokin' Valves

Personnel: Jay Rosen, drums, hand drums; Vinny Golia, clarinet, Eb, Bb, bass, and sopranino clarinets; Paul Smoker, trumpet; Mark Whitecage, moosecall, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto clarinet, soprano clarinet