October 2009

Justin Vasquez
Triptych
Triptych Works

By Bill Milkowski

The accomplished young composer and alto sax burner Justin Vasquez has assembled a dream crew—guitarist Adam Rogers, pianist Aaron Parks, drummer Clarence Penn, bassist Orlando le Fleming—for his remarkably mature debut. They all add their considerable talents to moving and fully realized pieces like “Nimbus,” “Fields” and the dynamic title track as well as Vasquez’s refreshingly original arrangements of “Invitation” and “Stella by Starlight.” Vocalist Gretchen Parlato and harmonica ace Gregoire Maret appear as special guests on this impressive first statement by the promising newcomer.