Keith Oxman: Glimpses

I know I’m far from alone in being a fan of the two tenor saxophone plus rhythm section quintet format, epitomized by the Johnny Griffin/Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis quintet from the early Sixties. Denver-based tenor saxophonist Keith Oxman’s Glimpses, featuring Dave Liebman on tenor and soprano, starts out in that vein, swinging hard on the Oxman original Shai. A pair of potent tenor solos bookend a nicely flowing piano solo by Jeff Jenkins. Oxman is up first, playing a more inside style than we hear from the flamboyant Liebman. As they do throughout the proceedings, bassist Ken Walker and drummer Todd Reid provide a firm foundation for the soloists. Lenny is another Oxman original, a polite ballad that tends to drag a bit. It’s also the occasion for a particularly sweet soprano saxophone solo by Liebman. Oxman also composed Trane’s Pal, a successful mid-tempo swinger with fleet piano work by Jenkins, and Louminus, a snappy number with some surprising twists in the melody. A wailing Liebman tests the limits of his tenor in his most Coltrane-influenced solo of the date, while Oxman takes a more nuanced approach in his well-constructed solo. And dig how the saxes trade licks after the sparkling piano solo. Jenkins on piano and Liebman on tenor play a duet on Ellington’s timeless In a Sentimental Mood, stretching out but sticking closely to the beautiful melody in a lovely performance. The lone standard is the 1946 composition I Sold My Heart to the Junkman, a feature for Oxman at his most lyrical. The quintet has a lot of fun with the funky Afreaka, a Cedar Walton tune plucked from Lee Morgan’s 1967 album The Sixth Sense. Liebman contributes the title track, an uptempo romp that concludes the set and leaves you wanting more. Glimpses is a solid session of modern jazz, well worth your time.
Capri; Keith Oxman (ts) Dave Liebman (ts, ss) Jeff Jenkins (p) Ken Walker (b) Todd Reid (d); Denver, CO, November 1, 2017; Shai/ Lennie/ Trane’s Pal/ In a Sentimental Mood/ Afreaka/ Louminus/ I Sold My Heart to the Junkman/ Glimpses; 55:06. www.caprirecords.com