Brian Landrus - Red List

June 28, 2022

Label: Palmetto Records, 2022

Personnel - Brian Landrus: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, flutes; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Nir Felder: electric guitar; Geoffrey Keezer: Rhodes, organ, piano, synth; Lonnie Plaxico: electric and acoustic bass; Rudy Royston: drums; John Hadfield: percussion. Guests - Jaleel Shaw: alto saxophone (#5,14); Ron Blake: tenor saxophone (#2,9,10); Steve Roach: trumpet, flugelhorn (#1,4,7,12,15); Corey King: vocals (#1,6,11).

Boasting an authoritative language, baritonist Brian Landrus wades in his typical aesthetic variety with some big hooks and a non-aggressive posture despite the massive tone of his instrument. His new recording, Red List, finds him well supported by highly committed bandmates and special guests who embrace the amiable nature of the compositions with devotion. The main topic of this body work is Earth’s endangered species and climate crisis.

“Canopy of Trees” plunges into the pop/rock canon with the presences of Nir Felder’s rock-steeped guitar crunch, Lonnie Plaxico’s electric bass reassurance, Geoffrey Keezer’s scattered keyboard waves, and Rudy Royston’s fidgety drumming. The baritone solo, clear at all times and never chewy, is dovetailed by an unison-delivered theme that includes trombonist Ryan Keberle and trumpeter Steve Roach. The type of energy created here opposes to the brighter and glossier feel of “The Distant Deeps”, a waltz with vocals by Corey King and solos from trombone and flute. It also deflects from a pair of reggae/dub incursions, namely “Save the Elephants” (the title refers to an organization with which Landrus is working) and “Leatherbacks”.

The Steely Dan-like title cut is a sleek, streamlined fusion affair built on elements of rock, jazz, R&B, and funk. Landrus, who hits the bottom notes with unshakable confidence, is followed by the tenorist Ron Blake, who is even more impressive on “Bwindi Forest”, a modal jazz enterprise with beautiful piano playing as well as bass clarinet and saxophone bravura cutting through from both sides. This number takes us directly to “Congo Basin”, which, pivoting to a triple time feel, features a fine guitar stretch over the funk fringe that runs underneath.

Saxophonist Jaleel Shaw wields his alto with personality on “Tigris”, a more popish jazz push with a neat painterly touch that soon breaks and expands into a wider type of fusion. In turn, “Nocturnal Flight” offers clear and velvety balladry texturized by Felder’s adroit guitarism, and with Landrus on flute and baritone.

Delivered in a pretty straightforward way, these set of tunes systematically strip away any possible sonic discomfort or violent collisions. They are uncomplex in tempo and immediately accessible. Landrus sticks up to this posture while finding his own groove and fluency.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - The Red List ► 04 - Nocturnal Flight ► 05 - Tigris

Brian Landrus - For Now

May 14, 2020

Label: BlueLand Records, 2020

Personnel - Brian Landrus: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, flutes; Fred Hersch: piano; Drew Gress: double bass; Billy Hart: drums + Mike Rodriguez: trumpet; Sara Caswell: violin;

Low woodwinds virtuoso Brian Landrus explores his romantic side on From Now, his 10th album as a leader, which features him in a stellar core quartet with pianist Fred Hersch, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Billy Hart. The album comprises ten sharp originals from Landrus and three fresh renditions of jazz standards, including two from Monk. On selected numbers, there’s a quartet of strings coping with arrangements provided by Landrus and opera composer Robert Aldridge.

My favorite track of the album happens to be the opener, “The Signs”, a post-bop spectacle with a luxurious sound. Guest trumpeter Mike Rodriguez divides the melodic chores with Landrus, being the first to forge ahead into improvisation. He is immediately followed by the highly emotional drive of Hersch’s melodies. The pianist’s far-sighted comping involves us all deeply and Landrus' sinuous baritone promenade is not excluded from this blessing.

“The Second Time” offers a feel-good experience with strings, gorgeous modulations, and stimulating baritone-trumpet interplay over a vamp, whereas “JJ” is a more evocative piece with a stark finale.

Hart adds occasional rapid hi-hat tickling and in-time ride cymbal pulsation to “The Wait”, a waltzing tune where Grass also has his individual moment to shine. 3/4 is also the time reference on “The Miss”, which flows gently at a moderate pace, and “The Night of Change”, a melodious flute-driven piece.

Polished from major protuberances, both “Clarity in Time” and the title cut are ballads enriched by the strong symphonic presence of violins, viola and cello. And then comes the standards: a solo bass clarinet reading of Monk’s “Round Midnight” is poured out with an extensive range and earthy tone; also penned by Monk, “Ruby My Dear” becomes tremendously velvety during this singular sax-piano version; and “Invitation”, which acquires a swinging propulsion and dramatic saturated colors whenever the melody stands out from the lower registers.

Leaning on straight-ahead jazz but handled with an authentic new feel and inner instinct, Landrus proves that low reeds, besides groovy, can also be melodically intense.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Signs ► 05 - For Now ► 07 - Invitation

Brian Landrus Orchestra - Generations

September 28, 2017

Label/Year: BlueLand Records, 2017

Lineup includes - Brian Landrus: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Alan Ferber: trombone; Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Igmar Thomas: trumpet; Marcos Rojas: tuba; Mark Feldman: violin; Jamie Baum: flutes; Tom Christensen: oboe, flute; Michael Rabinowitz: bassoon; Alden Banta: contrabassoon; Debbie Schmidt: horn; Brandee Younger: harp; Joe Locke: vibraphone; Lonnie Plaxico: electric and acoustic bass; Jay Anderson: acoustic bass; Billy Hart: drums, and more.

Brian Landrus, a true prodigy in the art of playing deep-toned woodwind instruments, governs an amazing orchestra on Generations, a solid work sparkling with thoughtful arrangements and unusually fetching sounds.

The band lineup includes illustrious artists known for their creative contemporary vein such as flutist Jamie Baum, trombonist Alan Ferber, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, tuba player Marcos Rojas, violinist Mark Feldman, vibraphonist Joe Locke, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Billy Hart, among many others.

“Jeru Concerto”, a well-worked opus divided into four movements, opens the record with a strength of character. On the first movement, there’s consonance in the musicians’ activity. However, nothing here is too obvious and the layered sounds make us search incessantly for the essence of the music. Before the soft narration of the second movement, voiced with contrapuntal splendor, there’s a one-minute interlude where Landrus shows his impeccable command of the circular breathing technique.
Oscillating between the pastoral and the metropolitan, the third movement continues to live in a sort of contemplation, even when the orchestration is intensified. It leads to the more extrovert fourth movement, where Landrus gives wings to his imagination as he draws phrases with an impressive tonal range from his potent baritone. The impetus is seamlessly refrained halfway to open up airy melodic spaces that regain an enthusiastic consistency on the final stretch.

The reggae accentuation of “Orchids”, whose foundation is reinforced by a diligent bass groove, gains extra coloration with the preponderant presence of Brandee Younger’s harp and the bandleader’s bass clarinet, working in conjunction with emotional horn designs.

Enigmatic and searching, “The Warrior” is a shifting piece whose storytelling is initiated with terse violin strokes in counterpoint with reed movements and occasionally supported by Locke’s soft textures. This phase lasts just until trumpeter Igmar Thomas steals the show, employing a few lines à-la Miles Davis over a mild swinging flow. Comprehending continual floating currents of instrumental skillfulness, the tune also goes through some triumphant phases enriched by bold rhythmic thrusts.

“Arise" and “Human Nature” are among the most satisfying compositions. The former, having Plaxico’s electric bass and Rojas’ tuba paving the ground, brings a panoply of reed instruments acting collectively over an invigorating rhythm; the latter uncovers its true nature by playing with light and darkness, dancing effusively through singable flute melodies, soaring violin streaks, and deep-voiced horn traces.

The final piece, “Every Time I Dream”, brings up Bobby Hutcherson’s exquisite moods attached to a fervent desire to sound free. Nonetheless, it lies within the structural limits imposed.

Since the surprising factor never ceases, the super intriguing Generations is not an easy album to assimilate all at once. Even after repetitive listening, our gratification is magnified whenever we plunge into its astonishing ambiances.
Brian Landrus proves to be an extremely skillful composer and a first-class multi-reedist.

Favorite Tracks:
06 - Orchids ► 09 - Arise ► 10 - Human Nature