STEVE WILSON

ENDURING SONANCE

Smoke Sessions Records

Steve Wilson, alto & soprano saxophones/flute; Joe Locke, vibraphone; Renee Rosnes, piano/Fender Rhodes; Jay Anderson, bass; Kendrick Scott, drums; Kevin newton, French horn.

On this Steve Wilson recording, “Enduring Sonance,” the veteran saxophonist and flautist has chosen to record some of the compositions that he’s cherished over the course of his musical life. The title itself refers to high-quality sound output. “Sonance” is the auditory characteristics of music. Wilson has carefully chosen each song, with that in mind.

He begins with the Billy Childs tune, “Quiet Girl.” Kevin Newton is featured on French horn during this arrangement of the contemporary jazz pianist’s composition. In fact, Wilson has worked with Billy Childs in the past as a longtime member of his quartet. He knows and loves his music. This is followed by the melodic “Helen’s Song” penned by jazz pianist, George Cables, another musician that Wilson enjoyed making music with on various occasions.

Next comes his beautiful interpretation of “Pieces of Dreams” a Michel Legrand treasure with lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman. For this one, Steve Wilson features his alto saxophone.  Joe Locke offers a delicious solo on vibraphone.  Peggy Lee made this song a classic in 1970 and Barbara Streisand re-popularized it on her “The Way We Were” album in 1974.  Now Steve Wilson rejuvenates it on his sensual saxophone.  Renee Rosnes adds her tender piano touches to the arrangement.  This arrangement is breathtaking.

“I came across a clip of Johnny Mathis singing “Pieces of Dreams” on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  It was just stunning and reignited my love of the tune,” Wilson recalled.

“As an Aquarian, there’s a sense of autonomy that’s part of my hardwiring. … I always like to find material that hasn’t been overdone, and these tunes,  … are ones that I’ve always wanted to record,” Wilson further explained his choice of repertoire.

Rosnes powerful touch on the piano, joined by Joe Locke’s bluesy vibraphone opens the tune “How Long?” a song that was featured in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” film and was composed by the director’s father, Bill Lee.  Steve Wilson plays a soulful saxophone on this arrangement, that brings back memories of the Coltrane days. I was also enchanted by Wilson’s saxophone declaration on Quincy Jone’s composition, “The Eyes of Love.”  Beautiful!

This is an album full of memories and history, interpreted by a group of magnificent musicians, and led by the incomparable Steve Wilson showing off his excellence on both flute, soprano and alto saxophones.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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