Tony D’Aveni: Hip Displacement

Setting a divergent path right from the start, trumpeter Tony D’Aveni and his Boston-area quartet, with guests trombonist Hal Crook and tenorman George Garzone, prove their salt on the remake of Coltrane’s classic “Giant Steps.” A ten-tune session of standards arranged by D’Aveni, this is his second Brownstone recording with Devan Manson (piano), John Lockwood (bass) and Owen Howard (drums). Their cohesiveness is obvious. The date is further enhanced by guesting tenor saxophonist Les Arbuckle on two tracks D’Aveni wrote especially for their interactions, a lyrical waltz, “3/For Mary” and the gliding bopper, “Pink Skates.” D’Aveni exhibits pleasing tone and technique, especially on the popular Van Heusen hit, “Darn That Dream,” where his solo glimmers in the quartet setting. Garzone and Crook team up with the quartet again on the finale, D’Aveni’s “Knockwood Lockwood,” a whorling take on the title suggestive of a childhood rhyming game (but more likely an inside pun with his bassist). Their actions, however, are no child’s play and the entire session is a delectable treat for the listener.

Originally Published March 1, 1998