Plays [CD]

Nicole Glover has been getting some well-deserved exposure as a side-person recently but this tenor saxophonist is best appreciated on her own albums, where she fronts a saxophone-bass-drums trio. While not a common jazz format, this instrumentation has sired some classic recordings from greats like Don Byas, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and Ornette Coleman, to contemporary trios led by Branford Marsalis and Glover's label mate, JD Allen. Glover's own trio features the rich, full-toned bass of Tyrone Allen and the sensitive, yet propulsive drumming of Kayvon Gordon. A special guest on the recording is vibes master, Steve Nelson, of whom Glover says, "He's incredible to work with because he is just a phenomenal musician... He enhances everything he is a part of of." This foundation provides two streams of sound (three with the vibes) beneath Glover's improvisations, allowing her complete freedom to be lyrical or driving as she chooses, while maintaining the aural identity of the ensemble.