Nonchalant

Nonchalant is Jan Leder's second album as leader (the first was released by the now defunct Monad Records in 1995). The title aptly describes this session — relaxed and tasteful, featuring a varied playlist comprised mostly of Leder originals. The session kicks off with a seven-plus-minute exploration of Stevie Wonder's "Bird of Beauty." More often than not, crossover material is put on jazz albums to encourage radio play. This is not the case here, as Wonder's tune is given a very jazzy treatment. Leder's compositional skills are formidable, not constrained by a narrow stylistic approach. The cleverly worded "Inbetween the Streets" features a Latin beat behind Cleve Douglas' vocal. The very good Angela DeNiro takes on "Little Boy" as a ballad, done in a medium tempo, with purposeful lyrics; Leder's flute and Mark McCarron's guitar are prominent on this cut. The bossa nova "Survival of the Flutist" is a vehicle for Leder's flute, again with McCarron's guitar very evident. "Bebop Papi" is straight out of the pre-avant-garde flute style of Eric Dolphy. John Lewis' "Afternoon in Paris" recalls Milt Jackson's recorded version, with Leder's flute playing Jackson's vibes. The session ends, appropriately, with Leder's "Conclusion Jump," a freewheeling, upbeat piece featuring Mary Foster Conklin on vocals. Leder has gathered a sterling cast of musicians for this session. In addition to the vocal contributions of DeNiro, Conklin, and the Nat King Cole-like voice of Cleve Douglas, the combined rhythm of Jon Davis, Art Lillard, and Sean Smith keeps a steady, strong beat. There is nothing heavy on this album, which makes it a fun time for the performers and the listeners.