Hometown

The co-op group Convergence features five superior musicians based in Denver. The best-known is trumpeter Greg Gisbert, who plays some spectacular solos, but John Gunther (mostly on soprano and tenor) is not far behind. Among the original compositions are a thinly disguised version of "What Is This Thing Called Love" ("Hometown"), an eccentric but hard-swinging "Sharihotsu's Question," and a three-part suite comprised of the friendly New Orleans-influenced "Good Evenin'" (with Gunther on clarinet), the modal "Stroll" (which has an excellent bass solo from Mark Simon), and the fiery "On the Fly." The program concludes with a feature for Gunther's warm tenor on "Prelude to a Kiss." If additional proof were needed that not all significant modern jazz is being made in New York, this excellent set serves as suitable evidence. Recommended.