Brad Turner Quartet

Long a leading light on the Vancouver, BC jazz scene, trumpeter/composer Turner first made an impact in award-winning combo Metalwood, and he has performed and recorded with the likes of Joe Lovano and John Scofield. This is the sixth album from his Quartet, with their previous outing (2007's Small Wonder) earning a Juno nomination. The Quartet (rounded out by Bruno Hubert, Andre Lachance and Dylan Van der Schyff) have a long history of playing together, and this live album (recorded at Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver) neatly captures their musical empathy. All the compositions, save the closing tune (Jimmy Rowles' "The Peacocks"), are by Turner, and five of these originals are previously unrecorded. Both Turner's trumpet playing and his composition lean to the lyrical and the contemplative here, rather than the more vigorous groove-based sound associated with Metalwood. Most of the numbers run eight or nine minutes, allowing the players to stretch out while always remaining cohesive. Former Metalwood bandmate Chris Tarry contributes eloquent liner notes ― a nice bonus. Interestingly, the Quartet released another live album (Live at the Cellar), recorded in the same room, a full decade ago. This one serves as a fine sequel.