Joe Henderson: Consonance: Live At The Jazz Showcase

Some live recordings capture a set. Others capture a feeling. Joe Henderson's Consonance: Live At The Jazz Showcase, Resonance Records' newly discovered limited edition 3LP Record Store Day release, followed shortly by a 2CD version, is more than just another archival find. It feels vibrant from the very first notes, reminding us how Henderson could turn a club date into a lively conversation.

Henderson is a gravitational force here, with his tenor's sound that is warm, muscular, slightly grainy, but unmistakably his. He shapes a phrase to make it feel conversational rather than played. For this session, he has surrounded himself with exactly the right people. Pianist JoAnne Brackeen is marvellous throughout, bringing a sharp, searching intelligence to every tune. Bassist Steve Rodby provides the backbone and flexibility of the music, keeping everything grounded. Drummer Danny Spencer adds lift, color, and momentum, always leaving Henderson the room he needs. This is a quartet that listens carefully.

That spirit permeates all nine performances, with more than half lasting over twenty minutes. The opening piece is among several nods to the jazz canon, notably John Coltrane's "Mr. PC." It begins at full speed right from the start, embodying all the energy one could wish for. Henderson uses the tune as a foundation, exploring every corner with technically impressive playing. Brackeen and the rhythm section stay focused with captivating self-assurance.

Henderson contributes three original compositions to the session, starting with "Inner Urge." The piece begins with a couple of inventive unison choruses between Henderson and Rodby, then Henderson dives into his extended section with purpose and real impact. Appropriately, Brackeen engages with him directly, never just following, always adding. Rodby and Spencer stay steady, both offering versatile improvisational ideas. Charlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo" was inspired by his six-month stay at the Camarillo State Hospital to recover from alcohol and drug abuse in 1946-47. Originally written as a blues in C major, Henderson transforms it into a mostly full-tilt trio performance with Rodby and Spencer that moves away from bebop language in favour of a more modern, no-holds-barred approach.

Another Henderson original is "Recorda Me," which is arguably his most well-known composition. With its Latin roots, Henderson maintains a steady tempo without pause, focusing on the theme with clear purpose. Brackeen and Rodby effortlessly extend the line with a continuous flow of notes.

Beginning with Thelonious Monk's classic "Round Midnight" and moving to the Billie Holiday associated piece as a metaphor for life, "Good Morning Heartache," then to the popular standard "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise," Henderson and the band seem to prioritize atmosphere over declaration. They find wounded grace without overstating it, transforming reflection into release. They respond in real time, stretching this way and that depending on what the moment demands.

The closing track is the final Henderson original titled "Isatope." Henderson, along with Rodby and Spencer, dives in from the opening notes, covering the piece with a snap and grit until the out chorus when Brackeen enters with her forceful comping that doesn't overplay the drama built into the composition.

What makes the album rewarding is that it does not seem like an old artifact. It feels like four musicians in the process of figuring something out together.

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