Rich Halley - Coyotes In The City (2001)

Oregon-based tenor saxophonist Rich Halley is heard here in a trio setting with bassist Clyde Reed and drummer Dave Storrs. Together, the three speak in a hefty free jazz idiom. Halley's horn is brassy and aggressive, but often warm, alternating between the tumultuous currents of "Green, Brown and Blue" and the rubato calm of "Green Dusk" and "Half Light." On "Crows," he begins with soprano sax improvisation in tempo; the tune edges back toward freedom as Halley switches to percussion and then tenor. The title track finds Storrs suggesting a steady kick-drum beat for the others to chew on; Halley starts out on soprano but then plays wood flute for a spell, returning to sax when Reed locks in the tempo with a half-time walking bassline. Closing with "Rimrocks," Halley and Reed state a plaintive melody in unison with subtle commentary from Storrs; the trio then launches into busy yet thoughtful interplay over a hot, quasi-free groove. A challenging yet rewarding listen, and a valuable reminder that New York isn't the avant-garde's only home.