Valery Ponomarev - Live at Sweet Basil (1993)

Surprisingly enough, this entire CD comes from one set of music. Trumpeter Valery Ponomarev, tenor saxophonist Don Braden, pianist John Hicks, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Victor Jones are very much inspired during five hard bop originals by the leader, as well as "Theme for Ernie" (which John Coltrane recorded decades earlier). "My Alter Ego," a trumpet/drums duet, is a highlight, but this entire set gives one a good sampling of the continually underrated talents of Ponomarev.

Review by Scott Yanow