Pat LaBarbera Kirk MacDonald Quartet – Silent Voices

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This new collective quartet puts a unique spin on the “two-horn” sound. Performing originals from each of the band members as well as the jazz standard repertoire, the group recently toured Canada & recorded Silent Voices in July 2016.

“Pat LaBarbera and Kirk MacDonald mix and match their tenor and soprano saxes in an open sounding pianoless quartet with Kieran Overs/b and Adam Nussbaum/dr. Both reed players have strong tones on the tenor, and mix an ability to swing with a desire to stretch out into the post bop world.

The tenors meld together deliciously on the moody “Days of Old” as well as going inside and out on “Walk The Talk.” The rhythm team uses space judiciously on pieces such as in the semi free “We Three” while the leaders foray back and forth like jai alai players on “22nd Street Waltz” and link together and slip away as members of a three legged race on “Manhattan Getaway.”

The mix of soprano and tenor together works extremely well, creating a rich gumbo of harmonies on a few of the tracks. A hint of big band sax section and a hint of Coltrane. Intriguing.” by George W. Harris • August 7, 2017 • Jazz Weekly