Wingspan

George Robert, one of many fine alto saxophonists influenced by Phil Woods, has long been an important player on the European scene, though he has had limited exposure in the U.S. This Blue Note CD, issued only in Europe, features 11 strong originals by Robert, accompanied by an all-European rhythm section consisting of pianist Thierry Lang, bassist Heiri Känzig, and drummer Peter Schmidlin. Starting with the opening track, "Wingspan," Robert's rich alto stands out, with Känzig's arco bassline assisting the piece in taking flight in the introduction, while everyone is generously featured. "The Mountain" is a melancholy ballad with Robert playing soprano sax, dedicated to the memory of Bob Berg, a potent saxophonist who had died a few years earlier in a car crash. "Titi" is also a poignant composition, showcasing the rhythm section for the first third of the arrangement, with the leader making a delayed appearance on clarinet, played with a lyricism that matches his voice on alto and soprano sax. The robust "Blues for Trane" is a richly textured 12-bar blues that builds upon the contributions of the late tenor sax giant. This European import is well worth acquiring.