Independent Online Drumming up some great jazz By Brian Hough

Originally from Boston, Alexander McCabe, the saxophonist and composer, has been on the New York jazz scene since the 1980s. Admittedly, his latest album, Quiz, did not immediately grab the attention. I thought it was too busy and finicky but I’m glad my pernickety mood passed and I listened one more time.

This album is great modern mainstream jazz in the New York fashion. There are seven tracks, five of them McCabe originals, the exceptions being Good Morning Heartache and How Little We Know.

McCabe’s Weezie Waltz had me flummoxed initially, then I realised the usual 3/4 time alternates with a 5/4 time. Weird, but it works.

Other band members are Uri Caine (piano), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Greg Hutchinson and Rudy Royston (drums).

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