Trumpeter Erik Jekabson's 2010 effort Crescent Boulevard is a thoughtful, cerebral post-bop affair that is a perfect balance between melodic artistry and probing, knotty jazz improvisation. Similar to Jekabson's previous recordings including his stellar 2004 debut, Intersection, Crescent Boulevard finds Jekabson delivering his burnished, warm trumpet tone and fluid improvisational lines that bring to mind such influences as Kenny Dorham, Blue Mitchell, and Miles Davis. Moving from the catchy and melodic bossa nova album opener to the muted and atmospheric title track ballad, all of the songs here are Jekabson originals save for his sprightly take on Harold Arlen's "My Shining Hour," which he impressively performs with only drums behind him. Backing Jekabson here are guitarist Michael Abraham, bassist John Wiitala, and drummer Smith Dobson as well as pianist Dan Zemelman, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, vibraphonist Tommy Kesecker, and percussionist John Santos.
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