In addition to being one of the top tenor saxophonists of his generation,
Eric Alexander has developed quite a following in Japan, as evidenced by his series of recordings for the
Venus label. These 2004 sessions with pianist
Mike LeDonne, bassist
John Webber, and drummer
Joe Farnsworth are much in the mold of
John Coltrane's
Ballads album of the early '60s. His rich, big-toned tenor is rhapsodic as he explores a number of timeless ballads, though more than a few have pretty much fallen out of favor among jazz musicians in the 21st century. Particularly welcome are his explorations of two gems by the late jazz pianist
Mal Waldron, while the leader's
"Gently" fits in perfectly with the more established pieces.
Earle Hagen's
"Harlem Nocturne" is played in two separate versions, the first being a bit laid-back, the latter at a brisk tempo with
LeDonne adding an enticing vamp. The bluesy treatment of
"Stormy Weather" is strangely credited to
Duke Ellington, while
Alexander's shimmering take of
Billy Strayhorn's gorgeous
"Chelsea Bridge" is an obvious highlight. ~ Ken Dryden
![Alone in San Francisco [Bonus Tracks] [LP]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/8436559461696_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Alone in San Francisco [Bonus Tracks] [LP]")
![Portrait in Jazz [LP]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0025218108812_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Portrait in Jazz [LP]")
![Ellington & Coltrane [Bonus Track]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/8436542012461_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Ellington & Coltrane [Bonus Track]")