One Summer in Winters is a well cooked Contemporary jazz album spread out into nine tracks framed into traditional patterns. Every track contains a flexible interplay with zooming alto saxophone contrapuntal pulses. The sextet members are all up for this courting and bestow their own original panache to the music. Alkire is definitely a fine saxophone performer. Craig Bailey, Riley Mullins, Kelvin Sholar, Steve Johns and Esperanza Spalding also dazzle with vigorous, singular and bold musical work.
Alkire has a flashy control and command of the saxophone yet his music is distinctive in a modern jazz style. The band members warrant high odds for inspired musings and worthwhile listening. The rhythm section abides with strong work from Sholar on piano, Johns’ precise drums and Spalding is a hit with his bass playing abilities. Mullis’ horn adds depth, mastery and daring touches on every track. His tooting trumpet voice is played with many tongue effects, and his vivid use of mutes is remarkable.
Alkire’s foundations and compositions are indeed a mix of many explorations and it showcases dense moments of twittering spaces with vocals, rhythms and groovy euphonies. As the groove grows, the Alkire band soars on each track with Spalding’s flaking phrases, while the reeds use polyphonic shades and the piano and drums create whirling notes.
This Jeff Alkire craft fairly bears on its own attestation with the reedist’s ability to jazz around fresh, vibrant, and enjoyable music.