Label: Self released, 2025
Personnel - David Bixler: alto and soprano saxophones; Dan Loomis: bass; Fabio Rojas: drums.
American saxophonist David Bixler has been living in New York for 30 years, where he cut his teeth touring with vibist Lionel Hampton, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, and acclaimed Cuban composer Chico O’Farrill. His latest album, Incognito Ergo Sum, blends meticulously crafted composition with improvisation in a boundary-crossing, free-wheeling set of originals, plus a take on Jerome Kern’s “Nobody Else But Me”. His cohesive Trio Incognito features a creative rhythm section of sought-after musicians and bandleaders: Brooklyn-based Dan Loomis on bass and Venezuelan Fabio Rojas on drums. The album follows the trio’s debut Inside The Grief (Bixxlixx, 2020).
“6.29.21” opens with a 16-beat cycle saxophone riff delivered with aplomb and crisp precision, revisited several times along the way. Loomis and Rojas sustain a great rhythmic drive, while Bixler expresses casual thoughtfulness without resorting to unnecessary fireworks. The bass solo blends articulation with natural melodicism, and the drummer’s expansion generates a controlled storm. “Recycled” features expedite changes of pace, shifting the tempo into higher gear, while “You Are Ma King” revolves around a clear-cut thematic idea, etched with a sinuous edge, and culminating in a fine drum solo.
“What’s At Hand” showcases the balladic side of the trio—with a soft saxophone glow, conscious bass breathing, and brushed skins—before swinging eloquently in the wake of Loomis’ improvised dissertation, steadily gaining momentum with its firm, bouncy step. The trio crafts a fluid storytelling approach on “Old Dog New Bix”, feeding off the tune’s melodic candor.
“Liminal Space” and “Johnny Cope” stand out among the album’s best-written pieces. Both refine the trio’s sound and push it forward by integrating elements of Venezuelan folk tradition and Eastern nuance. The former features Bixler on soprano, floating over a silky Latin tapestry, while the latter relies on clear, warm cymbal work, soprano sax chants, and bass pliability to create an Eastern-infused dance, with elastic stretches from Bixler and Loomis over Rojas’ dynamic drum responses.
True to form, these tunes—anchored by well-defined riffing themes and ample room for solo expansions—showcase the majesty of Bixler’s compositions and the musical prowess of his trio.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - 6.29.21 ► 03 - Liminal Space ► 11 - Johnny Cope