Editorial Reviews

Begun in the spirit of the classic Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker piano-less quartet, trumpeter Rick Holland and baritone saxophonist Kerry Strayer's Speak Low is actually split between tracks sans piano and those with pianist Frank Mantooth. Longtime Midwesterners, Holland and Strayer both play in a thoughtful, laid-back style perfectly suited to such iconic "cool" jazz tunes as "Bernie's Tune" and the softly frenetic "Swing House" -- both included here. Holland especially evinces Baker's trademark minimalist approach with a supple tone and well-constructed lines that often cross over into more adventurous post-bop territory. Similarly, Strayer's solos move along with a rhythmic punch that owes much to Mulligan. Guest Mantooth adds some genial melodicism on the Kurt Weill title track that, with Holland switching to flügelhorn, ironically also brings to mind the stellar early-'60s work of another Mulligan cohort, Art Farmer. Rounding out the lyrical ensemble are bassists Bob Bowman and Ed Fedewa along with drummers Todd Strait and Larry Ochiltree. Matt Collar, All Music Guide

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