DAVID BIXLER

BEATITUDE

Tiger Turn Records

David Bixler, alto saxophone/composer; Jon Cowherd, piano; Ike Sturm, bass; Rogerio Bocatto, percussion.

David Bixler has a history with big bands.  He has toured with such outstanding and historic organizations as Lionel Hampton’s big band, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Big Band. With O’Farrill’s congregation, he won a Latin Grammy Award for the recording “Final Night at Birdland.”  Bixler was very busy until he had to take a break from music for twelve years to give full attention to his son who had a health challenge.  In 2016, he returned to music.  In 2019, he released an album titled “In the Face of Chaos.”  In 2020, he released “Inside the Grief” and then he produced a tribute project to poet and activist, Langston Hughes.

This year he has released his “Beatitude” project which is another word for beautification or blessedness.  His song titles take on somewhat of a religious lean, with original tune titles like “A Power Deferred,” “Balm,” and “Peace Prize.”

On “Hide Seek Find” Bixler creates a strong melodic line and Ike Sturm counters with a busy, melodious bassline.  When Ike steps out to solo and improvise, we hear his exquisite ability on the double bass that mirrors his imagination. When Jon Cowherd catches the spotlight, he offers us an enthusiastic piano solo that sparkles and dances with Rogerio Baccato’s Latin percussion accompaniment.  I wish the engineer had turned the drums up in the mix. The percussion is mixed way too low.

When not touring or recording, David Bixler serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He’s a sought-after clinician worldwide and hosts a podcast featuring conversations with jazz musicians.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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