Sadness & Soul

Baritone saxophone and piano duets are rare in jazz, but bari saxist Glenn Wilson and pianist Chip Stephens prove throughout Sadness and Soul that these instruments belong together. The low horn's unexpectedly broad range and rich timbres, turned to song by a lyrical yet tough melody-maker, and the piano's grand as well as close-up possibilities, brought to life by an inventive improviser with a deft touch, here result in warm, balanced, fluid music made from smartly chosen jazz standards and two originals played with feeling - for expressivity, yes, and for fun. Howard Mandel - DownBeat/NPR