at Jazz Standard (116 E. 27th Street, New York City)

The regal bassist’s first large ensemble disc under his own name is rather unique, because instead of banking on the contours of extrapolation, it revels in the power of pith. The longest tune is just over five minutes, so concision rules and a songbook of standards dominates. From “Con Alma” to “Footprints” to “St. Louis Blues,” each track boasts a great punch, as well as moment or two of fantasia. There’s something wonderfully simple yet rich to these charts. –Village Voice

For more information, contact info@jazzstandard.com.