Dave Pietro's third CD as a leader focuses primarily on his original works. Joining him are a number of fine New York-based players, including trumpeter and flugelhornist
Scott Wendholt, trombonist
Pete McGuinness, guitarist
Pete McCann, pianist
Mike Holober, bassist
Scott Colley and drummer
Brian Blade. The leader plays alto sax on "Now Becoming Then," a lovely but upbeat jazz waltz, with plenty of room for strong individual solos. "Quiescence" is a lush ballad honoring
John Coltrane, while the exotic "Vicissitudes" adds percussionist
Todd Isler to the band, evoking a Caribbean flavor while retaining a post-bop mood. "Permission Granted" is a straight-ahead swinger.
Pietro switches to soprano sax for "Princesa," a mid-tempo bossa nova. The one standard of the session is a subtle yet intricate arrangement of "Alone Together." While the inclusion of a few more standards might have garnered
Dave Pietro more attention to this release, it is still an excellent example of his abilities. ~ Ken Dryden