The 29th Street Saxophone Quartet was an American saxophone quartet. Established in 1982, the ensembles members are alto saxophonists Bobby Watson and Ed Jackson, tenor saxophonist Rich Rothenberg (in recent years, Willie Williams), and baritone saxophonist Jim Hartog. The group has performed an eclectic repertoire, from hard bop to classic jazz to show tunes, to funk, to rap, and original experimental works. In an early review of the band's first extended engagement in New York City in 1984, John S. Wilson of The New York Times wrote:

"[29th Street Saxophone Quartet] is a band of contrasts. The ensemble playing is clean, precise and tightly together, but the solos are filled with slashing, exuberant abandon. At times it is the very essence of loose, free jazz but it also uses the heavy, stylized sound of Stan Kenton's saxophone writing. The four musicians are choreographed in shifting formations to spotlight soloists and in dance movements that extend the musical movements."^[1]

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the band toured in Britain, Europe, Istanbul, Canada and in the United States. 'The Glasgow Herald said in their review that "the ensemble's cohesiveness and the high quality of solo playing made everything the four men played worthy of note."^[2] The group maintained an international presence and recorded several CDs and is still in existence today.^[3]

Discography

• Pointillistic Groove (Osmosis, 1984)

"Watch Your Step" (New Note, 1986)

• The Real Deal (New Note, 1987)

"Live" (Red, 1989)

• Underground (Antilles Records, 1991)

"Your Move" (Antilles Records , 1992)

• Milano New York Bridge (Red, 1993)

References