A Shorter Distance

Christine Jensen's A Shorter Distance is a strong follow-up to her debut as a leader, Collage. In two years time, she not only shows tremendous growth as a composer but makes better use of her abilities as a soloist. Several of the same musicians are present on the earlier session, including sister Ingrid (trumpet/flugelhorn), tenor saxist Joel Miller, and bassist Fraser Hollins, plus newcomers John Sadowy and drummer Jon Wikan, along with the addition of a guitarist Ken Bibace. The front line is very tightly knit after playing together over the course of a decade, with Christine's rich alto leading the way through her snappy "Halfway Home." Her piece "A Shorter Distance" is a salute to Wayne Shorter, an imaginative modal work, while she switches to soprano sax for her swirling, mysterious "Red Roads." The loping "Backyard" (co-written with Miller), marked by several excellent solos by the band, fools listeners with its turbulent finale. The one standard is an unusual treatment of "I Loves You, Porgy," featuring Christine back on soprano sax, while it retains some of its bittersweet essence, the arranger's addition of several compelling interludes take this chestnut in a very different direction. This is terrific music by a jazz musician who clearly deserves to be better known in the jazz world outside of Canada.