Eric Alexander Quartet - My Favorite Things (2007) [2015 SACD]

This release from Eric Alexander is a notable one. Venus Records asked the readers of Swing Journal what they would like to hear Alexander play. From that long list of requested songs, Alexander selected the tunes included on My Favorite Things. Many of the selections are well-known jazz tracks heavily associated with tenor saxophone giants of the past. Some of them include "Sugar" by Stanley Turrentine, "Airegin" by Sonny Rollins, and "My Favorite Things" and "Lazy Bird" made famous by John Coltrane.
Alexander confronts this challenging task with the confidence of an expert musician. He makes every performance his own with his strong, warm tone and unique phrasings--all while paying respect to the great tenor saxophonists. The quartet flew to Tokyo and recorded the entire album in just one day. Once again, Alexander proves that he is one of the greatest tenor saxophonists today. This album is another excellent offering to the music world.
"Eric Alexander is in top form throughout this 2007 quartet session with some of his favorite bandmates...he has developed his own sound, blending ideas from past artists with his own...Another fine date by Eric Alexander, one of the best saxophonists of his generation." -Ken Dryden, allmusic.com

Tracks:

1. Sugar
2. Triste
3. Stella By Starlight
4. My Favorite Things
5. Airegin
6. As Time Goes By
7. Lover Man
8. Lazy Bird

Personnel:

Eric Alexander, tenor sax
David Hazeltine, piano
John Webber, bass
Joe Farnsworth, drums