Review of CD - Square Peg Round Hole - by Grego Applegate Edwards for Cadence

Here are five guys (none of them named Moe) working together in a contemporary, hard-blowing set that shows the leader to good advantage. Witt is firmly in what one might call the Late Mainstream or Post-Bop and everyone puts in first-rate performances. This is his second CD. Witt is a product of the University of North Texas, where he received an MA in Jazz Studies, and he teaches at U. of Houston’s Moores School of Music.

Mr. Witt writes engaging charts for the band (all but one are his) and his tenor can scorch with a fire that hearkens to Joe Henderson at his best – and can remind one at times of Lovano, Bergonzi, Weiskopf and some shades of middle-period Trane, which is all to say that he is at the top of his game. Brecker in the liner notes refers to him as in the great lineage of Texas Tenors and that’s certainly true, insofar as his sound is big. Listen to the heat of “Childlike,” the density of his solo on “Matching Game,” his impassioned bursts on “Much More to Say,” and you’ll be a believer. The irrepressible Randy Brecker remains a trumpet master, showing at all times a poise, control, and blazing attack that few approach today. Pianist Kikoski contributes strong solos and accompanies the proceedings with a well-integrated style that, along with the fully executed Postbop Modernism of rhythm-section mates Weidenmueller and Hoenig, really kicks the set forward. A minor quibble – apparently “Dirty Dogs” and “Before the Rain” are listed in reverse order on the insert and label. Either that or the dirty dogs are quiet mellow and angelic, which seems unlikely. Either way, check with one out!