Maybe Steps

Patrick Cornelius made an impression early on with his music, earning full scholarships to the undergraduate jazz program at Berklee and the Master's program at Manhattan School of Music, in addition to several awards for his skill as a composer. For this 2010 session the alto saxophonist enlisted a group including the talented pianist Gerald Clayton (a leader in his own right), bassist Peter Slavov, guitarist Miles Okazaki, and drummer Kendrick Scott to interpret several originals and one jazz standard. His cheerful "Maybe Steps" bubbles with energy, built upon a catchy theme. "Bella's Dreaming," dedicated to his young daughter, is a whispering ballad showcasing his lyrical playing with the rhythm section playing an easygoing cadence that gradually builds in intensity. The explosive nature of "Shiver Song" is calmed somewhat by Clayton's elegant, intuitive piano. Cornelius and Okazaki engage in a furious call-and-response in the introduction to the late George Shearing's '40s bop tune "Conception," with potent solos by both men prior to passing the baton to Clayton, who takes the piece farther out. For the standard "My Ship," Assen Doykin takes over the piano for a heartfelt, spacious duet with Cornelius.