Imaginary Numbers

Through the richly textured arrangements of longtime collaborator Nick Lane and a stellar new ensemble of some of LA's finest, veteran guitarist and composer Tom Rizzo creates a swinging and wide-ranging new recording of interesting standards and provocative originals. The topflight band, including Joe La Barbera, Bob Sheppard & Bob Summers, digs deep on the swinging original opener "B-Like," paints a lush landscape on the gorgeous J.J. Johnson classic "Lament," and roasts on the dynamic arrangement of Sonny Rollins' "Oleo." By supplementing the "Birth of the Cool" instrumentation on Imaginary Numbers with his sleek guitar work, Rizzo adds a twist to that classic ensemble sound and contributes a worthy modern gem to Los Angeles' recorded jazz heritage.