Rich Halley’s 2024 entry Dusk And Dawn is Halley once again thriving within the familiar confines of his Rich Halley 4 quartet for their seventh outing. As always, the Portland, Oregon-based saxophonist is joined by Michael Vlatkovich (trombone), Clyde Reed (bass) and Carson Halley on drums. Collectively, they deliver attitude and panache missing from much of jazz while respecting everything about the idiom that made it great.
The fare this time is roughly equally divided between Halley’s preconceived charts and group improv, with even the Halley charts inviting plenty of improvisation.
In making “Spherical Aberration” episodic, Halley’s song holds interest as the team moves from one playful act to another, circling back to the original avant-modern theme for its ending segment. That’s the pattern for the other Halley compositions, as Halley likes to stretch modern jazz to its outer limits, maximizing indulgence within structure.
Reed’s tipsy bass line on “Retrograde” cunningly leads the combo through a multitude of moods, peaked by Halley’s urgent solo that skirts the line between advanced and free jazz without even being conscientious about it. Vlatkovich follows it with his own dauntless jaunt.
The Carson Halley/Clyde Reed rhythm unit is indispensable in meeting the requirements to navigate through perilous change-ups in tempo and rhythms that aren’t always a straightforward 4/4 or 3/4. For “Spatter,” they do all that plus mete out an irresistible groove for the head portions. In between is a very engaging tête-à-tête between Vlatkovich and Reed. “The Hard Truth” crests when Halley’s husky bawl makes a soulful ruckus with only son Carson behind him making Art Blakey moves.
The three instantaneous group concoctions yield their own type of treats. “The Return” goes from a hearty Vlatkovich/Halley exchange to a limber blues swing with both front-line members delivering crisp solos in tandem. “After Dawn” goes for the opposite feel, a floating, pensive piece. The real show on “Stretching the Sinews” is happening behind the front line, where Carson Halley powers the tune with his skewed, determined rhythm.
Dusk And Dawn is out now, and is available over on Bandcamp.
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