JAZZ IMPROV
Volume 7, Number 2

Spring 2007

Jason Rigby

 

TRANSLUCENT SPACE-Fresh Sound New Talent #254. Absolute Distribution, S.L., P.O. Box 90155, Barcelona, Spain. www.freshsoundrecords.com. Proximo; Turquoise Turkish; Southampton; Atmospheric; 114; Backandforthedness; Green of Greens; Mumbai; Christopher.
PERSONNEL: Jason Rigby, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, wood flute; Mike Holober, piano, Rhodes electric piano; Cameron Brown, bass; Mark Ferber, drums, cymbals; Rich Johnson, trumpet; Lauren Riley, cello; Soo-Kyung Park, flute; Sam Sadigursky, Jason Gillenwater, clarinet.

By Jim Santella

  While the program on Jason Rigby's adventurous album consists of composed music, each one allows plenty of room for individual and collective improvisation. That's what his ensembles do. These are his own compositions; however, they're merely intended to serve as a road map for adventure. His session comes jam-packed with an adventerous spirit, as Rigby's saxophones and bass clarinet lead the way.
   Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, the saxophonist earned his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and moved to New York in order to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his master's degree. Creativity seems to have been his lifelong passion. Each selection on Translucent Space comes filled with substantial energy that drives the ensemble's forces.
   Rigby spends most of the program with his tenor, allowing the music to swing fiercely alongside his big muscular tone. Piano, bass and drums add an element of tradition to the formula, while their solo excursions turn out considerable heat. Both while improvising collectively and when stretched out alone, the members of the ensemble provide sparks that ignite. Rigby applies soul to the session. His soprano leads the quartet through "Green of Greens" with lyrical phrases that encircle the room. "Mumbai" features Rigby's wood flute with bass and drums in an up-tempo romp through Nature's realm. Flute and clarinets enhance the rich timbre of "Proximo," while a tightly muted trumpet adds flavor to "114" and Lauren Riley's cello carries "Christopher" to emotional heights.
   Most of Rigby's program centers on his creative quartet and the daring adventures that are allowed to flow through the room. "Turquoise Turkish" spins at a blazing fast tempo while the leader's alto steers his quartet through whitewater rapids and hazardous hiking trails. The interpretation is left to the listener, as each piece spins its lively web all over the place. Rigby brings a fresh, creative spirit to the forum, opening the door to a world in need of musical rejunenation.