CHRIS GREENE QUARTET – MUSIC APPRECIATION

This Chicago-based quartet mixes elements of blues, and rock in with traditional jazz — and the result is anything but smooth. Music Appreciation was recorded in a two-day span, yet shows a sophistication of a band who loves playing together. Credit four musicians who are masters of their instruments. Greene’s tenor saxophone hints of Wayne Shorter and Warren Marsh, but has a tone all its on. Drummer Steve Corley and bassist Marc Paine are perfect foils for each other — supportive yet expressive. Damian Espinosa is a master of his domain on the Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano. Listen to the track “Papuera” and you are hooked. But don’t stop there.