Keith Oxman: Home

CAPRI RECORDS (RELEASED DECEMBER 5, 2025

On some of his earlier recordings, Denver-based saxophonist Keith Oxman was inspired by bandmates such as Curtis Fuller (Dues in Progress, 2006), Dave Liebman (Glimpses, 2008) and Houston Person (Two Cigarettes in the Dark, 2020). On Home, Oxman’s inspiration comes from those who made a lasting impression on his life. The up-tempo “True Lou,” that kicks off the session, was inspired by his father who passed away in 2023 at the age of 101. The Latin groove of “Hardenesque” was composed for a friend and colleague from Denver’s East High School, a school where Oxman spent 24 years as a music educator prior to his retirement in 2024. The bop flavored “Don’t Throw in the Powell” was written for Terry Powell, a friend he first met in the late 1980s at a chess tournament. There are compositions inspired by mentors (“Pam”), cousins (“Cousin Steve”) and professors (“Stray Killers”). The set concludes with “An Extraordinary Rose,” a tender ballad written for his mother Fannie-Rose Oxman. In addition to the 11 originals, Home features Oxman’s arrangements on Cannonball Adderley’s soulful “Serenata” and a relatively unknown ballad “Home,” written by Geoffrey and Harry Clarkson and Peter Van Steeden. For Home, Oxman surrounded himself with more than capable sidemen from the Denver area — Derek Banach on trumpet, Clint Dadian on guitar, Bill McCrossen on bass and Todd Reid (who has appeared on several of Oxman’s earlier recordings) on drums. The ensemble performs several of the tunes with the cool restraint and close-knit interaction of Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool. Other tunes such as “The Jazz Brothers Visit Curtis Street” and “Opus for Wherda” are pure hard bop whereas “Owen’s Defense” adds a touch of Latin funk to the session. Whatever style they tackle, they do so with a sense of swinging restraint. Home demonstrates that you don’t need inspiration from legendary jazz artists to produce an outstanding recording. This time around, inspiration for Oxman came from family members, friends, colleagues and mentors as well as the support of local players/friends who revel in the opportunity to join Oxman for this homage to the people who shaped his life. As a listener, you will revel in the music as well.

BOTTOM LINE: “When it comes to the people in my life, I’ve been truly blessed,” notes saxophonist Keith Oxman. Home is his way of saying thank you in music dedicated to family, friends and mentors. These musical thank you notes run the gamut from ballads to bossas and blues to bop. The original compositions, arrangements and soloing of Oxman’s quintet on Home will have you saying thanks as well.