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ONE WAY Recommends [Issue
#15] Ali Ryerson & Steve Rudolph By
Scott Yanow
Soul Quest
(CD
Pact)
During a period
of time when nearly all of the larger labels have drastically cut back or eliminated
their jazz departments, concentrating instead on low cost no-brainer reissues,
jazz musicians have typically showed adaptability. Many are currently recording
for small labels and quite a few have started their own companies. In the case
of flutist Ali Ryerson, in another era she would have been a natural to be on
Columbia or Prestige for she is a virtuoso with a warm tone (splitting her time
between alto flute and flute), quite expressive and swings at every tempo. Teamed
with pianist Steve Rudolph (who recalls Bill Evans at times but mostly has his
own voice in jazz’s modern mainstream) and bassist Steve Varner, Ryerson
leads a trio through a three Rudolph originals (including the moody title cut)
and seven standards, highlighted by “A Time For Love,” “Girl
Talk,” “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To,” and “My
Foolish Heart.” Pact may be a tiny label (for more info contact www.aliryerson.com),
but the high-quality music on Soul Quest is worthy of Blue Note.
