The Ziggurat Quartet
consists of saxophonist
Eric Barber
, pianist
Bill Anschell
, bassist
Doug Miller
, and drummer
Byron Vannoy
, with all of the music consisting of challenging originals.
Barber
's robust tenor is featured in his tense
"Sezimora."
His
"Oregonian Monkey Chant"
may at first seem like a repetitious, slow-to-develop number, though a different perspective on its intricacies can be obtained by listening to it on headphones.
Anschell
's
"Calculated Gestures"
features
's exotic soprano over a rhythm that alternates between bright and ominous moods. The pianist's
"10 to 5"
opens in a modern boogie-woogie style, though it quickly evolves into a perky blues that is in no way old-fashioned, showcasing
's hip tenor.
Miller
also contributed several pieces, including the exotic calypso
"Scenic Overlook"
and the infectious Afro-Cuban-flavored
"Zigtuno,"
though both works take these familiar styles down unexpected paths. The diversity of
the Ziggurat Quartet
's approach to jazz is a breath of fresh air. ~ Ken Dryden