Long an underrated tenor saxophonist, Steve Grossman shows off the influences of both John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins on Katonah, a set recorded in Japan. Utilizing local players, Grossman explores four jazz standards from the 1950s plus a pair of his complex but swinging originals. Pianist Takehiro Honda proves to be an excellent chordal pianist while the rhythm section (with Hideo Kawahara and Yasushi Yoneki taking turns on bass) is subtle in support. Although no real surprises occur, the high musicianship and consistently creative ideas make this set (made available domestically at the time by Columbia) of strong interest to collectors of modern jazz. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Katonah (Steve Grossman)
2. Afternoon in Paris (John Lewis)
3. I Hear a Rhapsody (Jack Baker/George Fragos/Dick Gasparre)
4. Taurus People (Steve Grossman)
5. Friday the 13th (Thelonious Monk)
6. Soultrane (Tadd Dameron)
STEVE GROSSMAN tenor saxophone
TAKEHIRO HONDA piano
MASAHIRO YOSHIDA drums
HIDEO WAKAHARA bass (3) (4)
YASUSHI YONEKI bass (1) (2) (5) (6)
Recorded February 4, 1986 at Avaco Studio, Tokyo
DIW Records DIW - DIW-8010