Roots and Branches

Album Review

Saxophonist Shirantha Beddage makes an impressive debut as a leader and composer with this excellent outing. Primarily a baritonist, who also doubles on tenor and soprano, Beddage surprisingly chooses the bigger horn for his tribute to two greats of the tenor, Stanley Turrentine and John Coltrane, in the powerful "Turrentrane." Beddage switches to soprano for the infectious African-flavored "Danushka's Dance," while overdubbing a bit of tenor to provide a second voice. Pianist Michael Stryker opens the lovely ballad "As the Flower Grows" with a lush solo, with the song changing to a bossa nova as the baritonist and rhythm section enter. The complex bop vehicle "Nightly News" is actually a salute to alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, with bassist Ryan Kotler providing an inventive line underneath the leader's majestic baritone solo. The heartfelt "I'll Be Gone" is Beddage's tenor feature, a warm remembrance of jazz pianist and longtime jazz educator James Williams, who passed away unexpectedly in 2004. Drummer Jared Schonig also provides capable support throughout this promising first recording by Shirantha Beddage.