Frank Tiberi - Tiberian Mode (1999)

Take three John Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists (Tiberi, Joe Lovano & George Garzone), stir well with a hot rhythm section (either pianist Andy LaVerne or James Williams, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Adam Nussbaum), toss in some spiced-up standards and a couple of originals, and you have Tiberi's long awaited date, a flavor that Tiberi's Woody Herman oriented fans (he joined The Herd in 1969) might not have expected.

What you get is three players on the swinging edge, battling it out for tenor supremacy. This is not a new concept, but the joining of these extraordinary musicians (they play together on several, not all tracks) results in some salty swift sounds that push the envelope of convention while also bowing to its traditions. Distinguishing the three can be tricky at times. Tiberi has a more fluid release, Garzone biting and extroverted, while Lovano lies somewhere in the middle. All exude an upper register cry that reflects 'Trane's will. There are intriguing variations like the opener "Spets Esrever" which is a reversed melody taken from Coltrane's "Giant Steps," and the adaptation of Ray Noble's bop flagwaver "Cherokee," taken as "Cherry Key." Tiberi plays a lot of challenging soprano on "Cherry Key" and the definitely 'Trane-ish "Retrospect." Most of the CD is energy music, upbeat, forceful and richly harmonic, even on the usually balladic "Body & Soul." "The Champ" adds baritone saxophonist David Riekenberg for more orchestral possibilities, while "The Garz & I" allows the leader and Garzone to fully work out.

Perhaps most were expecting Tiberi's date to present his own long neglected ideas exclusively, or be much more conservative in nature. But he's always been a team player while sitting in the sax section or (since 1987) leading the Herman Orchestra. And he's stretching out on this set with players that match his enthusiasm and verve for life and music. It's a provocative collection of tunes that should create a considerable amount of shop talk in both traditional and modern jazz camps.