New York Jazz Quartet – Blues for Sarka (Enja/Inner City, 1978)

Frank Wess (ts, fl); Roland Hanna (p); George Mraz (b); Grady Tate (d)

Recorded on May 17, 1978

Listening to the New York Jazz Quartet, one gets the impression that they could go anywhere and play anything.  Their mastery is so complete and so evident.  Moreover, they're a real unit --  a band -- not just players brought together for a gig.  

The word that I would use to describe the music they make is supple.  Not soft, but flexible, graceful, and strong.

More NYJQ

Every record by this ensemble is worth hearing, but the Enja releases are particularly notable. 

- In Concert in Japan (Salvation, 1975)  - with Ron Carter (b) and Ben Riley (d)

- Surge (Enja, 1977)

- Song of the Black Knight (Sonet, 1978)

- Oasis (Enja, 1981)

- The New York Jazz Quartet in Chicago (Bee Hive, 1983)