Cat No PIT3030

US trumpeter Tim Hagans just keeps getting better. This new recording for Pirouet follows his excellent “Beautiful Lily” album for the label in 2005. Pianist Marc Copeland and his trio have been the highly inventive support on both albums - with splendid bassist Drew Gress and drummer Jochen Rückert (here replacing Bill Stewart).

The first four tracks are Copeland compositions, with an undercurrent of his customary reflective, impressionistic playing & writing - with Hagans able to play with a mournful beauty if needed, but also in a more fluid, snappy swinging style. The final three tracks are evergreen popular jazz standards - given fresh, thoughtful re-readings. An unceasingly rewarding album.

Saxophonist Jason Seizer oversaw the pleasingly warm, clear recording - and Pirouet present the disc in their usual stylish, gatefold digipak.

Tim Hagans played with the latter-day bands of both Kenton and Woody Herman in the 70’s, before moving to Sweden, where he worked with Dexter Gordon & Thad Jones. In the 80’s he worked with Gil Evans, Joe Lovano, Bob Belden & Fred Hersch.