The seasoned cats called them cutting contests: Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray, Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt, Johnny Griffin & Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, even Michael Brecker & Branford Marsalis. Encounters that demanded the best from both, or be shot down from a single solo. Many times the encounters ended up being split decisions, to the delight of audiences in the club, or at home with the documented recording.
For two decades we have been treated to the matchups between tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, each inspiring the other to bring the absolute best they have.
Split Decsion is their new encounter, and from the first notes they do not disappoint. Alongside pianist Mike LeDonne, an inspiration to both, bassist John Webber and drummer Lewis Nash, they visit Steve Turre’s salute to Pharoah Sanders, stroll with Horace Silver, share a gorgeous display on a Rodgers & Hart evergreen, and dive deep into a couple of tunes from the saxophonist Leonard Feather called “The Middleweight Champion of the tenor saxophone” - Hank Mobley.
With LeDonne, Webber and Nash masterfully encouraging the horns to bring their best, they do with incredible fluency, exploration, and an obvious love and respect for each other.
Hear a track from Split Decision each weekday morning at 8:20 AM, another feature made possible by the members of WBGO.
