Label: Panorama Records, 2021

Personnel - Steve Slagle: alto saxophone, flute; Jeremy Pelt: trumpet; Clark Gayton: trombone; Bruce Barth: piano; Ugonna Okegwo: bass; Jason Tiemann: drums.

The music of American saxophonist Steve Slagle, whose musical career straddles several decades and stylistic jazz currents, usually bends toward the tradition. A member of the Mingus Big Band since 1993, Slagle contributed great sonic flavors to projects by Joe Lovano, Carla Bley and the late Lionel Hampton, among others. Nascentia is the most recent entry in his 17-album discography as a leader.

“We Release” sets the tone, with the group concentrating efforts on a sunny post-bop marked by a hooky pop-ish vibe. The spirit of the musicians is typically glowing and there’s a pronounced rhythmic cadence in the harmonic drive giving it a charming touch.

While in lockdown, Slagle composed a suite whose three main parts link together through two solo interludes, one delivered by bassist Ugonna Okegwo and the other by drummer Jason Tiemann. It kicks off with “All Up In It”, a straight-ahead uptempo burner that swings convincingly while evoking the artistry of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (a powerfully accented obbligato brings his version of Curtis Fuller’s “The High Priest” to mind). The esteemed trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and the assertive trombonist Clark Gayton offer their own personal angles to the storytelling. “Agama” is a danceable modal inflection that suits the sidestepping, hurricane-like blows of the bandleader. He saves the shouts and cries for last, loading the latinized title cut with emotional weight.

Whereas “Who Compares to You?” sounds like if the standard “Have You Met Miss Jones” had been retouched by Coltrane, “I Remember Britt” - penned by the late pianist Harold Mabern in honor of trombonist Britt Woodman - is the sweetest piece on the record, featuring Slagle on flute and a gleeful piano work from Bruce Barth.

The program is rounded off with “A Friend in Need”, an in-the-pocket piece written for the great saxophonist Michael Brecker.

Slagle holds the fort with charisma and avails himself of the engaging and supportive accompaniment his peers provide.