ELIAS HASLANGER

LEGACY

Cherrywood Records

Elias Haslanger, tenor saxophone; Mike Sailors, trumpet/flugelhorn; Andy Langham & Ross Margitza, piano; Ryan Hagler, bass; Daniel Dufour, drums.

Elias Haslanger not only plays a mean tenor saxophone, he’s a gifted composer and arranger who has written all the songs on this album. This Austin, Texas saxophonist sees his “Legacy” album as a group of musical vignettes, drawn from stories of his life in jazz.

This is Haslanger’s ninth album release as a bandleader. It is his first album of all-original material. I am immediately impressed by his title tune, “Legacy” that swings harder than the Dodgers star, Shohei Ohtani.  Starting with this breathtaking jazz composition, Elias Haslanger hits a homerun.  The tenor player sets the mood and tempo, leaping into the spotlight with a mesmerizing tenor saxophone solo. This is followed by trumpeter, Mike Sailors, who also brings excellence and energy to his improvised solo.  The two horn players set the bar high. Pianist Andy Langham meets their challenge with energy and improvisational creativity.

“This one is special.  It’s a modern record with attitudes, rhythms, and sensibilities that reflect who I am.  At the same time, it draws from the legacy of jazz tradition.  Each one of these songs marks a different time and place in my life that is important to me,” Elias Haslanger writes in his liner notes.

Haslanger has many to thank along his creative career path.  Among them are respected figures in Austin jazz for half a century, like the great Dr. James Polk, New Orleans pride and joy, Ellis Marsalis, bandleader Maynard Ferguson and Texas trumpeter, Martin Banks.  These are just a few of the master musicians that Haslanger mentions in his liner notes.  They were like a second family to Haslanger, who supported and inspired his journey.

“When it came to music, they were all about humility. Like, you’re always serving the music first,” explained Elias.

He credits the musicians who helped him learn and grow, along with his wonderful wife and family, for inspiring the ballad “Faith in Family.”

Brad Buchholz wrote in his liner notes “Elias Haslanger saw Marsalis as the paragon of elegance and sophistication. Maynard’s way was generosity. Elias said he loved the way Maynard invited people, the audience, into the music.  Dr. Polk, a Gentle Giant in his own right, refused to let the racism of his era, Trouble Down South, diminish his innate kindness.”

The two songs that grew from Haslanger’s admiration are noted in italics above. “Trouble Down South” quickly becomes another one of my favorites on this album.

Elias also sings the praises of Martin Banks who recorded with Dexter Gordon in the 1960s. Banks toured with Sun Ra and played the Apollo Theater.

“It was huge, monumental, to stand on stage with those men,” the saxophonist says.

Elias Haslanger displays his amazing talents during this album of original music. Not only as a proficient and talented tenor sax player, but also as a competent arranger and gifted composer.  Every song is deliciously played and tastes beautiful on my musical palate.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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