James Zollar - The Ways In (2022)

Playing trumpet and flugelhorn, James Zollar brings fresh and fragrant readings to material both new and known. His team of Michael Rorby/tb, Stefano Doglioni/bcl, David Hazeltine/p-key, Gerand Cannon/b and Willie Jones III/dr swings with fluidity on boppers like “The Fruit” , and with guest vocalist Nabuku Kiryu mixes a muted horn with ethereal tones on “Peace/Blue Silver, with some haunting Asian ideas added by Riza Printup’ s harp on the bodhi tree read of “Single Petal of a Rose”. Zollar’s work on a plunger is a hoot on a hip duet with Hazeltine on “Do Nothing till You Hear From Me” and Jeremy Pelt jumps in with his horn to add to the lurking atmosphere of “Reflectory”. The team shows it can bear down as it lifts a heavyweight of the modal “Checkered Hat” with things getting lush with the drapery on “Pat”. Rewarding listens.~by George W. Harris