Saxophonist Logan Strosahl has been nothing if not prolific since releasing his debut, Up Go We, on Sunnyside in 2015. That was a septet recording, as was 2017’s Book I of Arthur; in between, the newcomer released a duo set, Janus, with pianist Nick Sanders. Each of the three was an ambitious undertaking, collating influences from Renaissance-era classical music to free jazz to songbook standards. Strosahl gave the impression, from day one, that he wasn’t about taking the easy way out.
Sure, his fourth release for Sunnyside, is a trio session, with Henry Fraser on bass and Allan Mednard playing drums. Strosahl, who has heretofore stuck to the alto, adds tenor sax and flute this time. What he doesn’t do, however, is simplify the music. A trimmer format, for him, is no excuse to coast. Even when Sure touches down where saxophone-led trios often go—a walking bass serves as the foundation of “Bark,” the lead track; nothing unusual about that—there’s almost always something unconventional going on elsewhere.
