March 2009

Dr. Bruce Eskovitz
One for Newk II
Pacific Coast Jazz

By Bill Milkowski

Tenor saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz fronts this classy all-Rollins program featuring pianist Bill Mays, bassist Ray Drummond, drummer Larance Marable and vibist Charlie Shoemake. His bold tenor tones ignite familiar Sonny fare like the hard-driving “Strode Rode,” the Latin-flavored “Paradox,” the bluesy “No Moe” and the waltz-time “Valse Hot,” while he demonstrates a flair for ballads on Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings.” Eskovitz and special guest Ernie Watts lock horns on the hard-blowing “Tenor Madness.”