Wonderful review of Originals by Andrew Gilbert

Michael Zilber, an original saxophonist salutes originals

Andrew Gilbert, February 9/2017

 

Over the past 15 years or so the Albany saxophonist Michael Zilber has recorded a series of critically hailed collaborations, joining forces with an imposing array of master improvers like drum maestro Steve Smith, saxophone legend Dave Liebman, and the painterly guitar explorer John Stowell.

But Zilber’s latest album Originals for the Originals (Origin) is the kind of project that doesn’t accommodate a co-leader. A highly personal tribute to his saxophone heroes, the album summons the spirits of transcendent talents like John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins and Paul Desmond. Rather than trying to evoke the unmistakable sounds of these storied players, he bases each piece on a melodic phrase or harmonic passage drawn from their music.

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Michael Zilber, an original saxophonist salutes originals