Saxophone Quartet

This is the instrumentation of the group I formed for my very first gig as a leader. From the beginning, my conception of the band was to be a vehicle to explore the best non-avant-garde jazz of the 1960s, along with the best non-fusion jazz of the ’70s; in other words, the best creative jazz of that era that developed organically from earlier jazz styles.

Of all my bands, this one has the most challenging repertoire, including compositions by Chick Corea (Song of the Wind), Steve Swallow (Portsmouth Figurations), and Bill Evans (Fun Ride, Twelve Tone Tune Two).

Personnel

Chris Bacas, saxophone

Tom Guarna, guitar

Thomson Kneedland, bass

Chuck Braman, drums

Alternate Personnel

Donny McCaslin, saxophone

Paul Bollenback, Pete McCann, Nate Radley, guitar

Noriko Ueda, Evan Gregor, bass

Videos

Repertoire

Thelonious Monk:

Brake’s Sake

Brilliant Corners

Coming On The Hudson

Gallop’s Gallop

Introspection

Jackie-ing

Played Twice

Bill Evans:

Fun Ride

Loose Bloose

Re: Person I Knew

Twelve Tone Tune Two

Keith Jarrett:

Le Mistral

Memories Of Tomorrow

Chick Corea:

Bleeding Orchid

Song of the Wind

Larry Young:

Paris Eyes

Ritha

Various Composers:

Agua & Vinho (Egberto Gismonti)

The Bat (Pat Metheny)

Ballad For Billy (Leni Stern)

Black Narcissus (Joe Henderson)

Cyclic Episode (Sam Rivers)

Dark Light (Mike Nock)

De Pois Do Amor O Vazio (Wayne Shorter)

Elm (Richie Beirach)

Foolish Door (John Abercrombie)

Moon Germs (Joe Farrell)

Paul’s Pal (Sonny Rollins)

Portsmouth Figurations (Steve Swallow)

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My Other Bands

Trumpet-Tenor Saxophone Quintet A quintet drawing inspiration primarily from the brilliantly inventive compositions of trumpeter Kenny Dorham, saxophonist Joe Henderson and others featured on classic Blue Note recordings of the 1960s.

Guitar Trio/Quartet With a front-line featuring either one or two guitarists, this band performs the music of Thelonious Monk, John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, and others.

Vibraphone Trio/Quartet With a front-line consisting of vibraphone, either alone (trio) or supported by guitar or piano (quartet), this group explores a mixture of standards, Brazilian, and jazz compositions that lend themselves to the sound of the vibraphone.

Piano Trio This group explores rarely-performed compositions of Bill Evans and Antonio Carlos Jobim, among other great jazz composers.