Jazz: Joe Magnarelli

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The group that trumpeter Joe Magnarelli has assembled for "Persistence" (Reservoir) -- baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington -- recalls hard bop combos of the '50s and '60s such as the Horace Silver Quintet, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and the Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams Quintet.

That last one is particularly apropos in terms of instrumentation and solo styles. Byrd played trumpet, Adams baritone saxophone, and their influence has not been lost on Magnarelli and Smulyan.

The opening "Persist" announces a hard-hitting group exuberantly in its element. Magnarelli has a wealth of ideas, technique to execute them all and taste enough to edit them for a balance of intellect, lyricism and excitement.

Smulyan shows a gruff side that will become tender now and then in later performances. The rhythm section is clean, clear and swinging. (Engineer Jim Anderson captures the tone and separation of the instruments with exemplary fidelity.)

In keeping with the hard-bop character of the album, there's also Magnarelli's "D Train Boogaloo" (in the mood of Lee Morgan's bluesy hit, "The Sidewinder," and various funky Horace Silver tunes) and a blazing "You and the Night and the Music" with furious exchanges between Smulyan and drummer Washington. A most enjoyable album.