# CD review: Dave Liebman, Dave Binney, Donny McCaslin, Samuel Blais – Four Visions Saxophone Quartet 2019: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/10/13/cd-review-dave-liebman-dave-binney-donny-mccaslin-samuel-blais-four-visions-saxophone-quartet-2019-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2019-10-13T23:57:35+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**The music hailed from classic saxophone quartets (typically comprising soprano,
alto, tenor, and baritone) can be very exciting when in the hands of wise, influential
musicians. Good examples are World Saxophone Quartet and Rova Saxophone Quartet,
both founded in 1977 and with the latter still active. Now, a new ensemble of the
same kind arrives, with its top-notch members showing off their multifaceted genius
while fully enjoying a bracing musical camaraderie.**

The Four Visions Saxophone Quartet was born from an idea of baritonist Samuel Blais,
who first invited his former teacher, master soprano saxist Dave Liebman, to join
him. The remaining two positions available couldn’t be better filled, with Donny
McCaslin and David Binney bringing their tone quality and persuasive language on
tenor and alto, respectively. The quartet’s debut album features ten compositions
specifically written for the occasion. Blais and Binney contributed three compositions
each, while McCaslin and Liebman penned two.

“Blaizza” inaugurates the session with flowing melodies in strong counterpoint and
shifting tempos, combining four distinct timbres for a stunning effect. For this
two-part tune straddling between modern classical and contemporary jazz, Blais sought
inspiration on “Andante and Scherzo” by French composer Eugène Bozza. Conversely,
his “Et Vois Et Jours” was originally written for a jazz quartet and readapted to
fit the context of this disc. Manifestly, there’s absolutely no need for chordal
support here since the combinations of notes clearly imply harmonic movement.

Relying on unisons, polyphonies, and question-and-answer mechanics, the passages
in Binney’s “Dunes” are accessible to the ear but relatively complex in the execution.
Whether intoned with stately grace or rhythmic impact, the piece is highly enjoyable,
reaching a climax with the altoist’s impromptu projections on top of a groove formed
by a sturdy baritone pedal and tenor-soprano ostinatos in seven. Also penned by 
Binney, the staccato-infused “Empty Sunbeans” could be turned into a great pop/rock
song, while “Technicolor Penguins” vouches a head sequenced by off-centered melodic
ideas and rhythmically accurate unisons. You’ll find poignant, tone-bent cries by
McCaslin and Binney evolving into long runs toward a crescendo that culminates in
piercing notes.

So luxuriant and precise in its conception, “Legions” was envisioned by McCaslin
with a new found determination, and it’s all about superior interplay. It features
the composer and Liebman in crisp and exuberant exchanges and Binney in a high flight.
The former two deliver again on “Buy a Mountain”, another McCaslin-penned stunner.

Liebman brought the longest piece into the collection, with the cogitative “In Bach’s
Studio” clocking in at nearly 16 minutes. However, it’s with “A Moody Time” that
he enchants the most. Besides inside/outside offerings, he delineates epic unisons,
combines a mix of thematic Eastern and Western flavors, and devises a bouncing 15/
8 groove that gains emphasis with the potency of the baritone.

Promoting textural variety in their advanced writings, these accomplished saxophonists,
more than fulfilling their improvisational duties, dabble in the tonal qualities
of their reed instruments with an extensive range of approaches. The result is a
wonderful album.

1. Blaizza (4:15)
 2. Dunes (5:43) 3. Legions (8:15) 4. Et voit le jour (6:08) 5.
Empty Sunbeam (5:44) 6. A Moody Time (8:02) 7. Technicolor Penguins (6:09) 8. Buy
a Mountain (7:08) 9. In Bach’s Studio (15:53) 10. Road Kill (3:17)

**Dave Liebman – soprano saxophone**
 **Dave Binney – alto saxophone** **Donny McCaslin–
tenor saxophone** **Samuel Blais – baritone saxophone**

![Image result for Dave Liebman, Dave Binney, Donny McCaslin, Samuel Blais - Four
Visions Saxophone Quartet](https://i0.wp.com/f4.bcbits.com/img/0017300874_10.jpg?
w=640&ssl=1)

### _Related_