Tenor Saxophonist Stephen Riley - as an aspiring student of jazz at William Paterson College in New Jersey - had a brief but significant encounter with guitarist Vic Juris who at the time taught ensemble playing class there.
A couple decades has passed since and here on his new album Riley asked his former teacher to join him.
Sadly, it turned out to be Juris’ last ever recording. He succumbed to cancer a few weeks after the session, although he did not show any sign of physical and mental decline on this date. On the contrary his strong presence in the dialog among the quartet made this album truly extraordinary.
“Tenor-saxophonist Stephen Riley has a sound of his own, featuring a tone that is both light and piercing … Riley and Magnarelli who, while tied to the bebop tradition, in this setting do not feel compelled to stick to it. Their fresh ideas and sly song quotes are invigorating…easily recommended. (Scott Yanow – Los Angeles Times on SCCD 31881 Oleo)
