All Our Reasons

Early on, drummer Billy Hart played in R&B groups and was a member of Wes Montgomery’s band; later he worked with Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis. He’s recorded several albums as a leader since the '70s, and his 2012 release, All Our Reasons, is a finely honed piece of work. Here, Hart helms a quartet—with pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Ben Street, and tenor saxophonist Mark Turner—that has played together since 2003. The 13-minute Hart original “Song for Balkis” opens with a brief but gripping drum solo before moving on to nicely contrasting sections. “Ohnedaruth” (with a title referencing John Coltrane’s spiritual name) is an Iverson composition based on “Giant Steps.” After an extended solo piano statement, the other band members enter to further shape this inventive homage. Another Hart piece, “Tolli’s Dance,” features outstanding drumming from Hart and a cool-headed Turner solo. Turner’s “Nigeria,” based on Sonny Rollins’ “Airegin,” brings a 21st-century sensibility to that 1954 gem. “Imke’s March” charmingly expands on a whistling melody Hart used to use to call his daughter from the playground.