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A Different Look is tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi's fourth trio recording in a
row for Double Time Records. All three use tenor sax, organ and drums. The material here, all Bergonzi originals, was recorded at the same two-day recording session that produced his previous album, Wiggy. Bergonzi's post-bop style compositions work well with his forceful, full toned playing.
Organist Don Wall and drummer Adam Nussbaum are quite compatible with Bergonzi and have played with him since 1996. (Wall and Nussbaum have also played with guitarist John Abercrombie since the early 1990's). Wall's subtlety and understatement work effectively with Bergonzi's brashness.
The album opens with the up-tempo "Just Friends," which has some strong tenor soloing right out of the gate. Wall has a nice organ solo and there's some trading fours at the end. They then play a ballad, "You Can Tell," and go back up-tempo with "Con Brio" which has another strong solo from Bergonzi as well as being a feature for Wall's organ playing.
Other highlights: Bergonzi's serpentine writing and playing on "I Ching Reading" remind me of Wayne Shorter. Bergonzi's playing is thick and concentrated and the tune has a complicated harmony.
"Czarology" starts with a drum solo. Bergonzi most shows the influence of John Coltrane on this tune, and has a fast, almost free solo over a repeating bass melody. The tune has a complicated, dizzying melody line.
A Different Look is a nicely programmed recording with good compositions and playing. Bergonzi paces the album nicely by alternating ballads with up-tempo tunes and by changing the order of solos.
Bergonzi's playing and writing are also featured on another trio record, The Line Between, by a cooperative group with drummer Bob Kaufman and bassist Bruce Gertz and is on the independent, Massachusetts-based, Whaling City label. Bergonzi's intervalic tenor playing again brings to mind Coltrane. His playing has emotional intensity and he's written another set of good compositions with complicated harmonies. The playing on the album ranges from inside to outside, with excellent interplay between the musicians.
These two albums may not be groundbreaking, but are quite enjoyable nonetheless. Both feature fine writing and adventurous playing and interaction and are recommended.
— Alan Lankin, May 2002
Release Date: 25 September 2001
Jerry Bergonzi:
A Different Look (Double-Time)
Personnel:
Jerry Bergonzi: tenor sax / Don Wall: organ / Adam Nussbaum: drums
Bob Kaufman/Bruce Gertz/Jerry Bergonzi:
The Line Between (Whaling City Sound)
Personnel:
Jerry Bergonzi: tenor sax / Bruce Gertz: bass / Bob Kaufman: drums
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last update 9 May 2002