Simply Put

Personnel: Jerry Bergonzi (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Bruce Barth (piano); Dave Santoro (bass instrument); Andrea Michelutti (drums).
Liner Note Author: Ted Panken.
Recording information: PBS Studios, Westwood, MA (12/29/2008).
Photographer: Christian Ducasse.
Arranger: Jerry Bergonzi.
Jerry Bergonzi has long been regarded as a top-flight tenor saxophonist among his peers and this session finds him in top form, playing with a seasoned, familiar rhythm section, consisting of pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Dave Santoro, and drummer Andrea Michelutti. Seven of the ten tracks are originals by the leader, starting with the tense, somewhat dark cooker "Mr. MB," dedicated to the late tenorist Michael Brecker. Bergonzi then switches to soprano for his exotic "Malaga." Further on, "Transphybian" is an unusual blues that doesn't follow the predicted path, while "Crossing the Naeff" is a haunting ballad duet with Barth. Bergonzi's settings of standards are all refreshing. "Come Fly with Me" bursts with energy from his angular, Sonny Rollins-flavored approach, while his inventive re-harmonization of "Out of Nowhere" contrasts with a more traditional arrangement of "Dancing in the Dark."