"Rainbow People," the title tune on Steve Turre's new HighNote album, is a perfect piece for his dark tone and hard-bop style. With a repeated bass pattern, minor-key and modal chords in the piano and a longing melody full of held notes, it establishes a mood of intrigue. Turre improvises in storytelling fashion, using staccato phrases and notes, the modus operandi of modern jazz trombonists since the bebop era.

Yes, Turre has chops but he doesn't appear obsessed with them. Tone and making a convincing solo statement trump technical showboating in his style. And that's what makes this album solid. That, and other of his originals such as "Brother Ray," a churchy tribute to the late Ray Charles, and "Midnight in Madrid," a reflective Latin jazz piece.

Pianist Mulgrew Miller's playing seems more personal than usual here, and bassist Peter Washington and drummer Ignacio Berroa hold every groove in place like a well-put-together design. Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett -- I'm not crazy about his ducky tone, but he nicely quells his tendency to overplay here -- and trumpeter Sean Jones join in on some cuts. Percussionist Pedro Martinez appears on "Para El Comandante," the last track, a tribute to the late Latin jazz saxophonist and flutist Mario Rivera.