Consuelo-Jon Quintet: Last Sunday Morning

Pianist Consuelo Candelaria provides the material on which she co-leads this quintet with drummer Jon Hazilla. It’s Billy Pierce who steals the show on the title cut, however, blowing pure on soprano saxophone while Candelaria’s strong, percussive piano comfortably provides the base for his horn. On “Java Jive,” she answers Pierce’s solo, completing his conception with a musical echo.The French horn of Tom Varner adds yet another texture, giving “In Your Voice” a haunting edge. The group can swing too, as they demonstrate on “Child’s Play.” The horns step out to let the trio work alone on “Johnnie Come Lately,” its up attitude and rhythm enhanced by some tap-dancing brush work from Hazilla. Last Sunday Morning is a solid disc of fine jazz-no frills, just good playing.

Originally Published January 1, 1998