Bobby Militello - Straight Ahead (1995)

Alto saxophonist Bobby Militello is best known for his long tenure as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, so it's a treat to hear him in a different setting as a leader. With keyboardist Bobby Jones, drummer Bob Leatherbarrow, guitarist Mark Manetta, electric bassist Jim Kurzdorfer, and trumpeter Jeff Jarvis, he delves into soul-jazz, Latin jazz, bop, and hard bop. He's an underrated saxophonist, with the power and imagination of Phil Woods (as heard in his interpretations of standards like Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and "I Love You") and the soul of Cannonball Adderley (demonstrated in Adderley's "Wabash"). Militello is also a superb flutist, switching to flute for the Latin-flavored "Que Bonito" (written by Jones) and alto flute for the funky "Rain Devil." Because Militello has been very active touring and recording with Brubeck since the 1994 sessions that make up this CD, he seems unlikely to do another CD for the time being. © Ken Dryden