The Magician: Live in Jerusalem

Jazz albums recorded in New Jersey, that's pretty common, but we don't see many coming out of Jerusalem. The Israeli jazz scene is unquestionably continuing to grow, and the talent there is top-notch. For The Magician: Live in Jerusalem, saxophonist Alon Farber has put together a great septet, one that sounds like a much larger band. And a visit from American trumpeter Douglas—who loves international sounds—is certainly a big bonus: it's, in essence, HAGIGA plus one. "Hagiga" means celebration, and that's what this fine Israeli group does with their American visitor. The collaboration, recorded live (and very well, studio quality, might I add), was part of the Jerusalem Jazz Festival at the city's Israel Museum last year.

The trumpeter's "Persistence of Memory" starts things out at a lope, then Farber (on soprano) enters with sinuous Middle Eastern overtones, intertwining with Yehonatan Cohen (clarinet). Following its strong theme, Douglas takes it in a straight-ahead direction with energized, unwavering high notes that are spot-on. Oded Meir (trombone) displays a well-rounded tone, propulsively pushed by Assaf Hakimi (bass) with colorful support from Katia Toobool (piano). The title composition is sleight of hand from Farber's pen, reminiscent of Mingus in its writing and maybe even Rahsaan Roland Kirk (e.g. "Volunteered Slavery"). Drummer Roy Oliel's ticking affects build tension under Douglas' forthright trumpet solo. Halfway in, the tempo picks up with a fiery alto saxophone feature from the leader. "Farbalak" (written by Farber with Yonatan Albalak) is taken at a mid-tempo and full of call-and-response, while the leader's "Minuet for Maya" benefits from his extended excursion on soprano saxophone. Kicked off by bassist Hakimi, "Spring Ahead" (another of the trumpeter's originals) is a marvel of collective improvisation, revealing that this is a marvelous ensemble capable of telepathic musical communication within intricate passages, while never allowing any one piece to ever lose its coherence.