Vocalist Patti Littlefield has been a popular mainstay on the Albuquerque–Santa Fe scene for many years, but she’s been out of sight for several years thanks to a variety of personal circumstances that sapped her energy. On November 2, at the Outpost, newly energized, she’ll be fronting a band of local all-stars for the first time in almost five years, and you will want to hear what she’s been cooking up.
Artrio—one, a new release from saxophonist Alex Murzyn, pianist John Funkhouser, and bassist Terry Burns—resident New Mexicans all—offers a master class in small ensemble jazz and a satisfying reminder of the high quality of the musicians here in New Mexico. They’ll celebrate their work with a CD release party at Q Bar, Friday, October 6. I was honored by their invitation to write the album’s liner notes, which, slightly adapted, also provide this review.
When I moved back to New Mexico from New York City, where I lived a short walk from some of the best-known jazz clubs in the world, I figured that I would have little opportunity to hear quality jazz in Albuquerque. Much to my very pleasant surprise, the Santa Fe–Albuquerque corridor was and is brimming with players who have the chops to play on any stage with anyone—and have done—and there are terrific venues to accommodate them. Exhibit one: the Cal Haines Quartet at the Outpost on December 1.
Saxophonist Alex Murzyn and drummer Cal Haines met one another playing in the Friday afternoon jams at trumpeter Bobby Shew’s studio in Corrales, NM, and Haines was introduced to bassist Terry Burns on a local gig behind trumpeter Christine Fawson. Haines thought the three of them might work well together. He was correct, and the proof is their new album, Llano.
