Wide Horizons

Album Review

Jazz supergroup One for All delivers another solid mix of straight-ahead standards and originals on its fourth Criss Cross release, Wide Horizons. Although never a group to stray too far from its original concept of a modern Art Blakey-style ensemble, One for All's musicians nonetheless have displayed a steady growth in individuality. Trumpeter Jim Rotondi's fat, burnished tone and solid harmonic concept are delicious to the ears, and it seems that every year tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander transmutes even further in his mitotic process toward becoming the most finely developed jazz musician on the planet. While past albums have focused on mid- to late-'50s-styled jazz, Wide Horizons has an early-'60s imprint. Pianist David Hazeltine, often compared to Cedar Walton, showcases his varied abilities on Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes," while trombonist Steve Davis' title track is meant to call to mind the work of Freddie Hubbard. These guys may not be pushing the avant-garde envelope, but when straight-ahead modern jazz sounds this good, who cares?