At The Kitano Vol.2

Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry met pianist Harold Danko when both of them were a part of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in the 1970s. Since the '90s, they have both led numerous sessions for Steeplechase, often playing on each other's dates and regularly working clubs with a quartet that included drummer Jeff Hirschfield and bassist Jay Anderson. This second volume of performances from two nights at the Kitano Hotel in New York City finds them playing five very familiar songs, though they find a good deal of new ground as they stretch out a bit more than usual. Perry takes a bit of an angular approach to "My Shining Hour," utilizing the chord changes to build his improvisations without needing to establish the melody. He sets up "Love Walked In" over Anderson's walking bass and Hirschfield's soft brushes with Danko initially laying out, playing a loping yet intricate solo. Perry's sense of humor comes out in the spunky rendition of "Just in Time," with Danko playing eclectic chords behind him a la Jaki Byard. "Autumn Leaves" seems to float, barely touching at the essence of the song. Oddly enough, the bop favorite "Wee" ends up being the most straight-ahead performance, though it has its share of surprises. ~ Ken Dryden|