JON IRABAGON & DAN OESTREICHER “Saturday’s Child”

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ARTIST

Jon Irabagon & Dan Oestreicher

ALBUM TITLE

“Saturday’s Child”

LABEL

Irabbagast

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This new album by Jon Irabagon is as singular as it is intriguing. As we have already noted, Irabagon is one of the leading figures on today’s jazz scene and a musician with no intention of abandoning his exploratory instincts; here, he is joined by fellow saxophonist Dan Oestreicher. What makes the album so unusual? The answer is simple: both musicians play an instrument that is already rare, curious and distinctive in its own right, the bass saxophone, which consequently becomes the sole protagonist – or almost: Oestreicher also picks up the bass flute, while one track features the precise yet unobtrusive percussion of Mike Pride – of an entire 54-minute, six-track album.

The musical paths explored are, almost inevitably, decidedly jagged and daring, at times even fiercely combative, yet always underpinned by remarkable overall solidity, vitality and sheer joy of inspiration. This is an “avant-garde” album that may well put the most cultivated ears to the test – though perhaps, in that case, they have become a little too sweetened… – but will richly reward everyone else: those unafraid of making new discoveries – and why on earth should they be? – even at the cost of a little extra attention, which is always an excellent key to unlocking such discoveries.

A truly outstanding album. For different reasons, recommended to both camps.

Alberto Bazzurro

DISTRIBUTED BY

jonirabagon.com

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