Pianist Halberstadt, a prominent musician in the Pacific Northwest Jazz scene and a Jazz professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, has previously recorded CDs which feature his writing (compositions or arrangements) for Jazz trio (
Inner Voice, 1991 on Pony Boy,
Parallel Tracks, 2004 on Origin) and for vocalists (
Clockwork, 1996 on Pony Boy). His current release again features his writing, this time for Jazz quintet, and the results are well worth hearing. "Rigenia," an uptempo swinger that opens the program, features a catchy melody, fine solos over the great blowing changes of "Airegin," and sharp ensemble writing from Halberstadt, whose effective use of unisons and harmonies is crisply executed by the excellent front line of Marriott on trumpet and Taylor on alto. Also among the six Halberstadt originals are "Five by Three," a beguiling waltz bringing to mind the music of Tom Harrell, "Discovery," another attractive waltz with a memorable rubato introduction from Halberstadt and Taylor, and "Unspoken," a beautiful ballad well articulated by the burnished flugelhorn of Marriott and the Desmond-esque alto tone of Taylor. Excellent solos from the horns are frequent, such as Marriott's Miles-like effort on the interesting "Green Dolphin Street" arrangement, and Taylor's lucid playing emphasizing purity of tone and the alto's high end on "Better Than One." The rhythm section, showcased on Miles' "Solar" and Sam Rivers' "Beatrice," is led by the consistently inven�tive Halberstadt with understated and highly musical support from the bassist and drummer.