Joe Roccisano’s alto sound furthers the heritage of Coltrane, Parker and Rollins, and his brilliant writing fuels this posthumously issued album. His playing is dazzling from start to finish, as he agilely delivers Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice” and “Mr. Day,” lately tenderly serenading Cole Porter’s “So In Love” and Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.”
Roccisano’s textured orchestrations are marked by sleek choral progressions and exquisite horn voicings, each chart a showcase for his tightly meshed nonet (three saxes, two trumpets, trombone, rhythm section). Standout solos are heard from trumpeters Bob Millikan and Greg Gisbert, pianist Bill Charlap and tenor saxophonist Tim Ries. Roccisano has bequeathed a rich legacy to his listeners.
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