Continuing the elegant group interplay explored on 2004's
I'm All for You, tenor saxophonist
Joe Lovano and pianist
Hank Jones reunite on
Joyous Encounter. Recorded right after finishing the tour in support of the group's aforementioned first outing,
Joyous Encounter features a quartet with obvious love for each other and the sound they make together. Once again backed by the stellar rhythm section of bassist
George Mraz and drummer
Paul Motian,
Lovano and
Jones showcase their kindred musical spirits with a warm and pleasing mix of deft melodiscm and supple harmony. Expanding upon the ballads-only concept of their previous encounter, this
Joyous Encounter finds the ensemble tackling a wide swath of improvisational territory from the urbanely swinging
Lovano original "Bird's Eye View," to
Thelonious Monk's lightly elegiac "Pannonica,"
Thad Jones' sweetly gorgeous "A Child Is Born," and even
John Coltrane's other classic, the plaintive "Crescent." ~ Matt Collar