June 1999

Jerry Bergonzi 4ET
On Again
RAM

By Duck Baker

Bergonzi is another tenorist who has studied Trane (though neither man is overly imitative) and whose up-tempo playing brings out the best in him. His more meditative work seems less interesting, at least on record. But the best playing and writing on the quartet record are eye-and-ear-opening. I especially like the lines where he and guitarist Mick Goodrick play oddly harmonized snippets; this is a very original and effective sound. Bruce Gertz, bass, and Adam Nussbaum, drums, are good players though the group feeling comes and goes-studiosis, perhaps.