May 9, 2006

John Ellis
'By A Thread'
Hyena Records

John Ellis is best known for being the saxophonist with guitarist Charlie Hunter, although his own solo career has been going well. On By a Thread, Ellis' music (all nine selections are his originals) has its own quirky logic, like that of Wayne Shorter, although his compositions are also reminiscent of the Keith Jarrett Quintet of the '70s when it featured tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman. The music is part blues and part gospel but also utilizes unusual structures and is consistently unpredictable. Aaron Goldberg (mostly on electric piano) and guitarist Mike Moreno have their solo spots, but John Ellis is the main star, both in his writing and in his distinctive playing. Recommended.