If proof were ever needed that
avant-garde
jazz
can be fun, witty, and colorful, one listen to
"The Human Blockhead"
from this CD would be perfect evidence.
Nojo
, a superb nonet organized by guitarist
Michael Occhipinti
and keyboardist
Paul Neufeld
(the band's two arranger-composers), is versatile enough to play modern
mainstream jazz
as well as freer explorations. On
City of Neighbourhoods
, they welcome the great saxophonist
Sam Rivers
, who has an opportunity to solo on every selection alongside the members of
.
Rivers
is in typically brilliant form, the arrangements are episodic and consistently adventurous, and one never knows what is coming up next. A complete play-by-play of this music would be both unnecessary and tedious, unlike the performances. Suffice it to say,
is an exciting and diverse set of modern
,
but never esoteric. ~ Scott Yanow