Jazz review: Don Braden

Gentle Storm ***1/2

Part of the pleasure of tenor saxophonist Don Braden's "Gentle Storm" (HighNote) is an appealing set of familiar tunes: "Secret Love," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?," "This Masquerade," "Willow, Weep for Me," "My Foolish Heart" and Lee Morgan's "Speedball," along with three Braden originals.

Another part is their modern reharmonization by pianist George Colligan, and finally there's Braden's authoritative delivery and drive, reminiscent of Ernie Watts, the tenor man in Charlie Haden's Quartet West.

On "Secret Love" Braden applies John Coltrane's "sheets of sound" technique -- rapid-fire, multi-noted improvised runs -- against intense rhythm section accompaniment. (Joris Teepe is the bassist and Cecil Brooks III the drummer for the session.)

"This Masquerade," a hit for George Benson in the mid-'70s, builds to a similar climax. Even Braden's ballad performances have a tough tenor quality; for example, the robust way he expresses tenderness on Michel Legrand's "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" "My Foolish Heart," another ballad, is played on alto flute.

Colligan, Teepe and Brooks understand the kind of support Braden needs: a strong groove, a propensity for turning the heat up and nothing too laid back. Whether pounding a McCoy Tyner-like background or soloing with Erroll Garner-like splash, Colligan impresses.