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July 3, 2025
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It is always a pleasure to hear a straight-ahead contemporary jazz quintet whose front line consists of baritone sax and trumpet, especially when it is as well-drawn as Florida-bred baritone Saul Dautch's debut recording, Music for the People, on which he shares melodic assignments with trumpeter Noah Halpern and, to a lesser extent, pianist Miki Yamanaka.

Music for the People means what it says: stylish yet accessible small-group jazz aimed at reaching the widest possible audience. Seven of its eight engaging numbers were written by Dautch (who arranged everything). The exception is Duke Pearson's buoyant opener, "Hello Bright Sunflower," whose charming melody must surely have chanced upon its roots in the Al Dubin/Harry Warren standard, "Lullaby of Broadway."

The rhythm section plays an essential role there, as it does throughout the session. Besides Yamanaka, the rhythmic aspect is in the capable hands of bassist Louie Leager and drummer Hank Allen-Barfield, who provide a smooth and comfortable runway from which Dautch and Halpern can soar into the improv stratosphere. While bass and drums have their solo moments too, the front-liners are more prominently and often showcased, which is as it should be.

Dautch's dark and muscular horn sounds much like such luminaries as Pepper Adams, Cecil Payne and Nick Brignola, the last of whom was one of his early role models and mentors. Halpern, meanwhile, unveils traces of Don Fagerquist, Blue Mitchell, Carmell Jones and other hard-boppers in his vigorous solos. Yamanaka is yet another stalwart soloist (and accompanist), on a par with many of her peers who call the keyboard home.

Dautch's seven compositions, although bright and well-written, are unlikely to stand out in a crowd of similarly dressed works. On the other hand, they are respectable and get the job done. Which is a fairly accurate appraisal of Dautch, his quintet and the album as a whole. Nothing spectacular, but nothing less than satisfactory. In other words, well and suitably done.

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