Label: Edition Records, 2023
Personnel - Ben Wendel: tenor and soprano saxophones, bassoon, effects; Bill Frisell: electric and acoustic guitar (#3); Terence Blanchard: trumpet (#2); Cecile McLorin Salvant: vocals (#1); Jose James: vocals (#5); Tigran Hamasyan: piano (#6); Elena Pinderhughes: flutes (#4).
Saxophonist/composer Ben Wendel, an adept in the bold contemporary jazz, offers a completely different approach with his latest album, All One. Conceived in pandemic times and comprising six wonderful pieces, this peculiar outing was inspired by his youth days, when he was trying to write woodwind arrangements for pieces he loved. The concept consisted of recording multiple layers of saxophones and bassoon, working them in studio with the sound engineer Steve Wood, and then sending the results to a number of guest collaborators to add their parts freely.
Gershwin’s famous standard “I Loves You Porgy” delivers this perfectly intoned chorale of woodwinds over which Cecile McLorin Salvant pushes her voice to the front with incredible emotion. José James does the same on “Tenderly”, adding a particularly warm feel to an already lush arrangement. There’s a saxophone solo here that doesn’t let us go; we stay with it.
“Wanderers” is the first of three Wendel-penned compositions to appear in the lineup. It’s an apt title as the horns roam with staccato blows and fugue-like movements, fusing classical and jazz elements with gracious courtesy. Reeds that revolve around each other and timely handclaps underpin Terence Blanchard’s assertive trumpet solo. Just like with the aforementioned vocalists, this was the first time he and Wendel recorded together.
The other Wendel pieces are equally outstanding: “Speak Joy” places rippling horn currents at the base and creates deep tonal contrast with the help of flutist Elena Pinderhughes who remains in spontaneous conversation with the saxophonist. “In Anima” closes the album with a bit more mystery and space-age sounds that still carry some poignancy. Wendel's vertiginous descendant moves are as exciting as pianist Tigran Hamasyan’s masterful choice of notes. Both musicians had taken turns playing on each other’s albums in the past.
Before that, Bill Frisell’s “Throughout” conveys a sublime serenity within its lazy 3/4 tempo. The guitarist combines with the saxophonist to provide melodic unisons, taking independent routes whenever he intends to magnify circular riffery. Requiring supreme technical skills, these tracks don’t really include any eccentric movements but brilliant harmony instead. All One provides a fulsome view of Wendel’s arranging and composing capabilities, offering music that is fruitful, explorative and thoroughly satisfying.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Wanderers ► 03 - Throughout ► 06 - In Anima