REVIEWS

Four is a relatively new saxophone quartet comprised of highly talented saxophonists with diverse backgrounds, and based in the west (i.e., mainly Idaho and Utah). Each member had established careers as performers and educators before the ensemble was formed. Mark Watkins (soprano/alto) has performed with numerous big bands and jazz artists throughout the years and is an accomplished composer. He currently teaches saxophone and jazz at Brigham Young University. Brent Jensen (alto) has also performed with a wide array of artists and has studied with jazz legend Lee Konitz. He is currently teaching at the College of Southern Idaho and is the artistic director of the CSI Jazz Workshop Series. Sandon Mahew has an impressive career as a performer, having performed and/or recorded with some of the top headliners in the pop and jazz music world. Mayhew has been Director of Instrumental Jazz and Applied Saxophone at Albertson College of Idaho since 1993. Jon Gudmundson is the Director of Jazz Studies and teaches saxophone at Utah State University. He too has had the opportunity of performing with well-known artists in both jazz and commercial music, including the Harry James Band and Roberta Flack, among others.
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All the compositions featured on this CD have been arranged and/or composed by Mark Watkins, beginning with an arrangement of the standard, My Favorite Things. Watkins’
arrangement presents a unique rendering of this tune, and keeps the ensemble busy with sections of counterpoint within the ensemble, as well as solo space tor the baritone and alto
saxophone, among other techniques.

Snakes, a Marcus Miller tune recorded by David Sanborn, is cleverly arranged to include Sanborn’s transcribed solo within the context of the arrangement. Anchored by Gudmundson’s baritone saxophone, the quartet plays the arrangement with a
tight ensemble sound and lots of creative energy.

Returning to a more straight-ahead approach, Watkins arrangement of Hot House/ What Is This Thing Called Love? combines the two tunes, which are based upon the same harmonic
progression, using various compositional techniques, while maintaining a unique balanced presentation of the two tunes.

Of Things Hoped For is an original composition by Watkins and based upon on Hebrews 11:1, dealing with concerns of a parent for a child. A somber tune, Of Things, features a nicely
rendered solo by Jensen as well as a technically challenging, and well-played passage played by Watkins.

Another well-known standard. All the Things You Are, is given an interesting twist as the melodic line is sometimes shared among several members of the quartet. Although this technique could be problematic if not performed well, the ensemble is able to play with rhythmic precision so as to keep the flow of the line uninterrupted.
After a playful opening, My Funny Valentine settles into a ballad with strands of the melody being bounced about the ensemble. Also, the playful opening returns throughout the arrangement, in part, if not in spirit, and is interspersed throughout the arrangement to create interest and variety.

Chim Chim Cheree is treated with some different harmonies, while maintaining the melody fairly intact. Fine solos by Gudmundson and Watkins give the arrangement its finishing touches.

The next four compositions, The House That My Father Built, Requiem, Vanilla Cream Soda, and Come What Way, are original compositions by Watkins and vary greatly in style and feel.
The House That My Father Built is a hip-hop based tuned with a repeated rhythmic figure in the background played throughout. and Requiem is a ballad with a double-time feel inserted
in the middle for the soloist, as well as the quartet. Also, in both tunes Mayhew provides fine solos matching the mood of each tune with just the right melodic ideas incorporate. Vanilla
Cream Soda is a driving composition, reflecting a traffic jam, and includes some of Watkins more intricate and tension filled writing on the CD thus far, while Come What May is shuffle-like with lots of blues-laced harmonies and figures.
Watkins arrangement of Miles Davis’ All Blues stays close to Miles version of this classic and features solos by Watkins and Jensen, as well as a partial harmonization of Miles’ solo from
the recording, resulting in a tastefully written and performed composition.

The closing cut, With Friends Like These is a nice culmination to the CD as it highlights the strengths of this CD and its performers, such as strong writing and solos, coupled with.
rhythmically solid ensemble playing and lots of energy to spare.