Tangria Jazz Group

Tangria Jazz Group's third CD is an impressive date, mixing fresh arrangements of familiar jazz classics, along with compelling originals. Simon Rochester's roundabout, well-disguised solo piano introduction to "Nature Boy" also has a bit of Latin flavor as the trio enters, plus an inventive bass line by Justin Hellman. John Carisi's "Israel," a favorite of the cool players of the 1950s, becomes more introspective in the trio's capable hands, yet no less driving. Interpretations of John Coltrane's "Impressions" often follow its composer's tendency to play lengthy variations, though Tangria Jazz Group finds a lot to say in far less time than typical. Drummer Sheryl Mebane not only has a light, distinctive touch, but she is the group's sole composer on this outing, including the funky "Teach Yourself to Live Elsewhere" and hip "Bamako Love Walk." Not exactly what one expects from a group where two of its members, Rochester and Mebane, have postgraduate degrees in physics and physical chemistry respectively.