Jeff Beal - Three Graces (1993)

Trumpeter Jeff Beal's compositions do not contain catchy melodies, but instead set mysterious and often melancholy moods with interesting frameworks, using occasional funk lines creatively. Much of the music builds logically to unexpected heights with surprising turns. Beal's fine trumpet playing is generally quite original (even if he hints strongly at Miles Davis' sound when he is muted) and his sextet (with Steve Tavaglione's tenor, pianist John Beasley, and bassist John Patitucci) is flexible enough to interpret his complex compositions.