Live at Jazz on the Coast

Backed by an outstanding Italian rhythm section (pianist Gaspare DiLieto, acoustic bassist Dario Deidda, and drummer Amedeo Ariano), tenor saxophonist Larry Schneider takes tunes such as Charlie Parker's "Mohawk," Henry Mancini's "Days of Wine and Roses," and Johnny Mercer's (with Joseph Kosma) "Autumn Leaves," and confuses and exceeds expectations. Rather than simply knocking out the melodies, followed by solos, followed again by returning to the heads, the saxophonist re-orients the listener by subverting the mix, but without any disrespect toward the original. The approach freshens and infuses new life into the tunes. Schneider's a cappella rendering of "Stardust" is a minor tour de force. Recorded live at the Jazz on the Coast Festival in Italy, the sound quality is surprisingly good.