Ba(SH)

Bassist Sommers has been an increasingly busy figure in Chicago and beyond for more than a decade, and here he makes his belated recording debut as bandleader. Throughout, Sommers puts the emphasis on the music, rather than himself, creating a welcoming environment for colleagues Geof Bradfield on reeds and Dana Hall on drums (hence the title of the album, a kind of acronym for these musicians' names). These players speak the same musical language, but it's Bradfield who probably will capture most listeners' ears (and hearts). The depth, urgency and intensity of Bradfield's sound on "Garrison" and the profundity and idiosyncrasy of his expression on "Quanah," both by Sommers, as well as the serene poetry of Bradfield's solos on Billy Higgins' "Inga" and the searching, questing character of his tone on Sommers' "Liano Estacado" enrich our understanding of Bradfield's art. Drummer Hall, like Sommers, goes out of his way to support his colleagues, indicating the camaraderie these three musicians share and enhancing austere beauty of their ensemble sound.