DENGOR MUSIC — RELEASED OCTOBER 2, 2026
Why doesn’t saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree have wider recognition in the jazz world? For several years now, he has been developing a distinctive voice with his post-bop quartet of pianist Johannes Wallman, bassist Jesse Crawford, and drummer Bill McClellan. With more than eight recordings to his credit, Mitcheltree has largely avoided the familiar repertoire, choosing instead to write music specifically suited to the quartet and to his own sound. Regarding that sound, Mitcheltree blends the lyricism of Stan Getz, the contemplative mood of John Coltrane, and the blues-infected warmth of Charlie Rouse. He brings all of those qualities to Seeing Red, his fourth session with Wallman, Crawford, and McClellan. The eight Mitcheltree originals cover a range of grooves. “Far Left” settles into a relaxed mood, while “911” is marked by an understated tenderness. “Tai Time” moves with an upbeat swing, and “Brooklyn” carries a more sensuous character. The latter is the only composition here that Mitcheltree reprised from his debut session in 2021. Coltrane’s spiritual influence is particularly apparent on “Mortal Coil,” a brief but compelling piece that begins with a prayer-like exchange between Mitcheltree and Wallman. . Listen closely to “Maitri” and you’ll hear a reference to Thelonious Monk’s “Ask Me Now,” a delicately played saxophone-and-bowed-bass duet and some Monkisms in Wallman’s comping. Mitcheltree’s compositions are filled with melodic and harmonic twists and turns and rhythmic stops and starts, yet the musicians negotiate them with ease. Their interplay recalls the energy, elegance, and economy associated with Clifford Jordan’s recordings with the Magic Triangle—Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins. Seeing Red may not be fancy, splashy, or controversial, but it is a solid, straight-ahead, well-played jazz session that will hopefully bring Mitcheltree the recognition he deserves (and that goes for his bandmates as well)!
BOTTOM LINE: Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree has been playing with pianist Johannes Wallman, bassist Jesse Crawford, and drummer Bill McClellan since 2021, and that familiarity is evident throughout Seeing Red. The quartet displays a sense of simpatico as they respond to eight originals tailored to the musicians’ individual sound and to Mitcheltree’s expressive and energetic voice.
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