It’s almost trite to mention the indelible mark that saxophonist Charlie Parker left on the world of culture at large, and more specifically with the practitioners of jazz, the music that he redefined. In the years since his death, his music has been covered incessantly, which in many ways, has robbed the music of its essential vitality. One solution to this ubiquitous problem lies in the stunning invention of the NYC based quartet Walking Distance and their second album, Freebird, which features the resplendent piano playing of Jason Moran on a number of tracks.
The quartet – comprised of alto saxophonist Caleb Curtis, tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Kenny Pexton, bassist Adam Coté, and drummer Shawn Baltazor – released their debut, Neighborhood, in 2015, which was acclaimed in Downbeat, AllAboutJazz and elsewhere. On that album, Walking Distance happened by chance upon the concept that would grow into Freebird. By displacing just one of the melodic phrases of Parker’s “Dewey Square,” their original interpretation “Dewey Circle” came alive and this concept was born. Freebirdis the full realization of this idea.
Caleb Curtis - alto saxophone, trumpet (6)
Kenny Pexton - tenor saxophone, clarinet (6, 7)
Adam Coté - double bass, Mellotron (4)
Shawn Baltzor - drums, percussion (2, 5, 6)
Jason Moran - piano (1, 2, 6, 7, 11 [sampe], 12)
Ben Rubin - producer, Mellotron & additional bass (4)
1. William 04:48
2. Feather Report 05:36
3. Ghilnooorty Classic 01:29
4. Simple Ghilnooorty 03:17
5. Lost & Found 02:41
6. Bigment 04:18
7. Quasar Halo 07:33
8. Pexterity 02:49
9. Cheat Sheet 03:31
10. Donnalise 06:05
11. Fly By 02:54
12. Confirmation Bias 00:47
