Carn Davidson: Reverence

SELF RELEASED (NOVEMBER 1, 2024)

The Carn Davidson 9 can best be described as a chameleon band. Whether they’re playing up-tempo swingers, gospel-inspired tunes, Latin American music or intricate modern jazz arrangements, they have a knack for adapting to these diverse musical environments. They demonstrate their ability to adapt on Reverence, thelatest release from this group formed in 2010 by two Canadian artists — trombonist William Carn and saxophonist/flutist Tara Davidson. The music on Reverence comes from two different suites — Carn’s “Pan-American Suite” and Davidson’s “Saxophonists Suite.” As you can imagine, the Carn tunes run the gamut from bossa novas such as “If Not Now Then When” to rhumbas such “Florencia,” while the Davidson tunes, dedicated to Dick Oatts, Joshua Redman, Christine Jensen and Kenny Garrett, lean more towards modern big band jazz. The arrangements make the most of the smaller sized ensemble with ample space for solos that are as varied as the tunes. Dick Oatt’s solo on “Fire for Oatts” is a searing stream of notes. In keeping with the gospel-infused “Groove,” Kelly Jefferson’s tenor solo is pure soul. Carn’s solo on “Wonderment,” a tune Davidson dedicated to Canadian Christine Jensen, is fluid and expressive. Ernesto Cervini’s rhythmic opening for “Just Because” perfectly sets the mood for this Latin swinger. Shirantha Beddage’s baritone solo captures the energy of Kenny Garrett on “Joy,” a tune Davidson wrote with Garrett in mind. The problem with being a chameleon is that it blends in rather than standing out, and that’s one issue I have with Reverence. My biggest issue, however, is the confusing sequencing of the tracks which move from one suite to the other rather than presenting the suites in sequence.

BOTTOM LINE: The arrangements make this nonet sound bigger than it is. The original compositions — ranging from Latin American flavors to modern big band jazz — keep things interesting. The solos by band members as well as guest soloist Dick Oatts energize the band. Reverence from The Carn Davidson 9 has it all, but handling that musical diversity might also be its biggest hurdle.