Bobby Selvaggio: Red Rhinoceros

Minutes after the final out at Progressive Field, the stadium loudspeakers blast the refrain, "Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks," from the 1979 Ian Hunter anthem (You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, Chrysalis). Fans stream out into the night singing along, celebrating another victory by their beloved small-market ballclub. Like Cleveland's Guardians, saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio has long seemed to punch above his weight. With Red Rhinoceros, the Cleveland-based altoist delivers a major-league performance with his hustling, underrated octet.

This live recording follows Selvaggio's large-ensemble release Stories, Dreams, Inspirations: For My Boy (Hidden Cinema, 2024). Several musicians return from that project, including drummer Zaire Darden, trumpeter Tommy Lehman, and trombonist Zach Warren, joined here by AJ Kluth (tenor saxophone), Betty Jean Quimby (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet), Zakk Jones (electric guitar), and Kevin Martinez (electric bass). The addition of the plugged-in rhythm section injects a bluesy funk into Selvaggio's compositions, giving the ensemble a broader sonic palette.

The opener, "Meltdown," immediately establishes the album's balance between tight little-big-band writing and groove-oriented propulsion. The feel recalls fellow Cleveland saxophonist Joe Lovano's 1990s collaborations with guitarist John Scofield with sophisticated arrangements animated by earthy rhythms.

Jones' guitar effects add color throughout the set, particularly on "I.C.U.R.1.2.," where Lehman delivers a taut trumpet solo over the shifting textures. On "Galapagos," Warren's trombone glides through a sly blues feel, buoyed by Darden's soulful drumming. Like much of the album, both pieces blend crisp ensemble passages with loose, freewheeling improvisations.

Selvaggio himself remains largely selfless throughout the performance, generously sharing the spotlight with his bandmates. When he does step forward, most memorably on "Chelsea's Smile," his alto saxophone voice is unmistakable: warm, slightly bittersweet, and lyrical without losing its edge. The closing track, "Moving to Brooklyn," brings the set to an exuberant finish, evoking the riotous energy of Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth (Warner Bros., 1981) bands of the 1980s with its blend of celebratory horns and funky rhythmic lines.

Like the team whose city it represents, Red Rhinoceros thrives on chemistry, hustle, and collective spirit. Selvaggio's octet plays with the confidence of a group that knows its strengths and leans into them, tight when it counts, loose when the moment calls for it. The result is a vibrant live recording that proves Cleveland's jazz scene, much like its baseball team, continues to compete well above its perceived weight.

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