Brian Landrus: “For Now” (2020) CD Review

Brian Landrus is a talented and accomplished jazz musician and composer, and has been releasing albums as a leader for more than a decade. On his new album, For Now, he plays baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, alto flute and C flute. He is joined by Fred Hersch on piano, Drew Gress on bass, Billy Hart on drums, Michael Rodriguez on trumpet, Sara Caswell on violin, Joyce Hammann on violin, Lois Martin on viola, and Jody Redhage-Ferber on cello. Yes, there is a ridiculous amount of talent and experience packed into one group, and that shines through on every track. This album features mostly original material, composed by Brian Landrus. The disc contains liner notes by both Herschel Garfein and Brian Landrus.

The album opens with “The Signs,” which eases in, establishing a relaxed groove. Then we start to really dig into the track, with Michael Rodriquez and Brian Landrus taking us to a more vibrant place, with the trumpet in particular creating a brighter atmosphere and feel. Drew Gress adds a cool bass line to keep things both grounded and moving. This track is a strong opening number. It is followed by “Clarity In Time,” one of my personal favorites. Fred Hersch begins this one on piano, delivering a pretty, romantic, classic sound, something to comfort us. Then Brian Landrus’ work has a gorgeous, timeless feel, backed by strings. This feels like it could easily be some lost gem from the 1940s, but is in fact a brand new gem. Turn the lights down low, and hold that special someone tight, and let the tears flow if need be, for then the world is not so bad. I want the feeling of this song to pervade the world. How can we make that happen? Fred Hersch begins “The Miss” as well, and once again there is a romantic atmosphere to his playing. As the other instruments come in, the track clearly distinguishes itself from the previous track, particularly the work on drums, which announces it as something lighter, and the strings and trumpet have a brighter, uplifting tone, though the saxophone betrays a hint of sadness behind it.

“JJ” has a bit of a classic big band sound at the start, with something of an unusual rhythm that I dig. That cool beat takes over, and Brian Landrus grooves on it, his work having a kind of sexy and confident quality. As the track develops, it at times has a rather light and joyful sense, as during Fred Hersch’s lead. This track also has a surprising ending that jolted me the first time I listened to this album. Then the strings begin the title track, some pretty work that has a relaxing effect, like leading us to descend into a large comfortable chair. And once we are so seated, the track takes hold of our imagination, our dreams, introducing us to a beautiful realm, the bass clarinet acting as our guide, using a loving touch.

The first cover of the album is a seriously cool rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “‘Round Midnight,” here delivered as a solo on bass clarinet. That’s followed by a cover of “Invitation,” written by Bronislaw Kaper and Paul Francis Webster. This begins as another romantic number, then soon kicks in and starts to swing and move, while maintaining that romantic feel at its center. I love Billy Hart’s work on drums. The track has a certain excitement to it, and then it sets us down gently at the end. The strings begin “For Whom I Imagined,” and a somewhat romantic, yet slightly unsettling atmosphere is established, making us wonder if there is tragedy in the memory. Memory, or perhaps dream, for this is something fanciful here as well. That’s followed by “The Night Of Change,” a bit fanciful itself, perhaps even puckish. There is a sense of play, of creating and dancing, particularly in Brian Landrus’ work on alto flute, and it’s easy to imagine the fairies of A Midsummer Night’s Dream going about their delightful work, encouraged by this music.

“The Second Time” feels like a romance taking place in a ballroom. There is elegance and liquor; there are meaningful glances; there is dancing. There are caresses. And there is no conversation whatsoever. Everything is in the body language, the movement. That is followed by “Her Smile,” a track with energy and delight and joy. The strings seem to take the part of the woman, of her face and the light that comes from it. And the blood coursing through the man’s body seems expressed by the drums and bass. And they come together so well. It’s a wonderful exchange that gives me hope for humanity. Then with “The Wait,” there is an easygoing vibe, and yet a strange restlessness behind it, like it has time to fill, and is eager for it to pass. This track features some really nice work on piano, plus a good lead on bass. The album concludes with a cover of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear” that features some absolutely beautiful playing by both Brian Landrus and Fred Hersch.

CD Track List

1. The Signs
2. Clarity In Time
3. The Miss
4. JJ
5. For Now
6. ‘Round Midnight
7. Invitation
8. For Whom I Imagined
9. The Night Of Change
10. The Second Time
11. Her Smile
12. The Wait
13. Ruby, My Dear

For Now is scheduled to be released on May 15, 2020 on BlueLand Records.