Alex Graham

Alto saxophonist Graham is a mainstream jazz player heavily influenced by bop, as reflected on this, his debut recording. He's joined by piano wunderkind Rick Roe, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Trumpeters Joe Magnarelli and Louis Smith split duties on these eight tracks, two of which were penned by Graham. Graham's lilting alto sound, a cross between the edginess of Kenny Garrett and the bountiful melodicism of Bobby Watson, is most evident on the ballad "Stairway to the Stars," while "Thirsty Eyes" shows the leader's promise as a composer. "The Mole People" is darker hard bop, featuring stop-start melody phrases that recall Jackie McLean. Smith gets soulful on Junior Mance's "Jubilation," head-noddin' on a lengthy take of Milt Jackson's "Blues Legacy," and takes the lead with legato wisps of melody during "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Magnarelli, Smith, and Graham scramble for position on Smith's "Ande," an ultra-fleet bop number based on the Charlie Parker evergreen "Donna Lee." Whether Graham will become a major voice on the alto saxophone is uncertain. What is certain is that he has the talent to get there, as evidenced by this promising first effort. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide