Label: Out Of Your Head Records, 2026
Personnel - David Léon: saxophone, flute; Kenny Warren: trumpet; Stephan Crump: bass; Ches Smith: drums.
Bassist and composer Stephan Crump, a musician of extraordinary passion and lyricism, put together a crisp, bright new ensemble for his latest outing, Passerine, a work of originals inspired by the various nesting techniques of birds. Relying on a frontline composed of Cuban-American saxophonist and flutist David Léon and trumpeter Kenny Warren, and pairing up beautifully with the resourceful drummer Ches Smith, Crump has something fresh to say.
"Stuck" firstly evolves in a 3/4 time signature, displaying a big, round bass sound that shelters sharp unison melody. Léon narrates a story over an arco bass ostinato, while Smith explores toms and cymbal sounds with sagacity. There's a change of pace and texture for Warren's expressive solo, and the interplay between the rhythm team becomes more defiant, leading to a swinging passage before returning to the initial waltzing breeze.
"Glide" is executed with a compelling rhythmic quality underneath—Crump incorporating effortless bass pedals, pizzicato routes, and cool grooves that find consistent support in Smith's nicely brushed skins. On flute, Léon stands out, drawing from melodic and harmonic minor modes in his improvisation. "Weavers" and "Twenty-Five" are warm meditative exercises where all members leave flowery scents in the air while rowing in the same direction. The former piece rests on a relaxed bass harmonic conduction that breathes at a challenging tempo, having charismatic, pure-toned unisons running atop. The latter is a shape-shifter that initiates with a sparse bass figure, understated drumming, a pellucid flute whose gentle dance emulates the chirp of birds, and introspective trumpet.
Warren and Léon always take maximum advantage of their instruments to create dual melodic lines that feel luminous and often varied in shape. That's the case on "Fly", a well-balanced 3/4 canvas painted with a certain wry melancholia. Breathable bass and brush work create space and smooth out the environment, culminating in a pulsating bass pedal point at the center of the outro vamp.
With sensitive collaborative input from the musicians enlisted, Passerine is a point of departure and an embrace of transformation for Crump. It's also detailed with rigor without abandoning the freedom of creating spontaneously. The composer's sophisticated sound and gracious storytelling are filtered into the album's sequence.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Stuck ► 02 - Glide ► 03 - Weavers