Ben Wolfe

Ben Wolfe
No Strangers Here
(MaxJazz)

Known primarily for stints with singers Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall, bassist Ben Wolfe’s fifth release as a leader lacks vocals, but not much else. No Strangers Here consists of 10 Wolfe originals, nearly all scored for a combined double quartet, string and jazz. In addition to strings, Wolfe’s quartet —Marcus Strickland (saxes), Luis Perdomo (piano) and Greg Hutchinson (drums) — is supplemented on several cuts with Branford Marsalis (saxes), Terell Stafford (trumpet), “Tain” Watts (drums) and Victor Goines (bass clarinet).

There may be a Third Stream concept here somewhere, but the predominant effect is hard bop accompanied by two violins, a viola and cello. Exceptions are opener “The Minnick Rule,” a straight bop head without strings, featuring Stafford delivering one of his characteristically blistering solos. Later, “Rosey & Zero” suggests early 20th century chamber music, to which Strickland imposes a strident and bluesy tenor improvisation. But those are the extremes, with most cuts resembling “Milo,” a delicate melody painted by Marsalis’ soprano on a canvas of strings.

Wolfe’s a sensitive bassist to be sure, or as he’s put it in another context, “as much as knowing the math of the music you have to know how to listen and be aware of your surroundings.” Of equal interest is the continuing evolution of Strickland, who appears on soprano and tenor on about half the tunes. A twenty-something saxophonist more often echoing Coltrane in Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth band and other settings, Strickland seems to offer greater articulation in this setting, perhaps more discipline. In that respect Strickland falls in line with the recording overall, which while not lacking for ambition, suggests continuing development as its most distinguishing trait.