For those unaware, the “Paramount” in Joe Lovano’s new quartet can be interpreted as a statement of intent. “I feel like at this point I’m on the rise,” Joe says, seemingly unaware of the decades of experience and several dozens of leader-recordings under his belt. “We’ve arrived at this unique place with this quartet – It’s very special. It’s a new thing. Recording this with Manfred [Eicher] in the studio, I was really thrilled with the way the group continuously developed. And those cats, they play with a real global awareness!”

The “cats” in question are guitarist Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano on bass and drummer Will Calhoun (otherwise known for his part in the American rock group Living Colour) – all players who help shape a striking, adventurous new chapter in Joe Lovano’s expansive oeuvre on Paramount Quartet.

Paramount Quartet’s formation was inspired by the saxophonist’s initial meeting with Asante and Will at a 2023 fundraiser for Puerto Rican hurricane relief. The trio immediately hit it off. As Joe puts it: “sometimes you meet, and it’s like you’ve known each other your whole life. That happened with Will, Asante and I.”

Adding Julian to the mix was the next logical step, as the saxophonist and guitarist had been talking about doing something together since back when the guitarist was part of one of Joe’s ensembles at Berklee College Of Music starting in 2006.

The group’s flawless understanding is as elegant in understated ballads as it is striking on several full-out romps, making this record a diversified yet balanced program that covers multiple idiomatic pockets of improvisation.

1. First Song [07:24]
2. Amsterdam [06:30]
3. The Call [05:44]
4. Fanfare for Unity [04:11]
5. Lady Day [07:59]
6. The Great Outdoors [06:38]
7. Congregation [05:36]

Recorded in the south of France in February 2025, the group’s flawless understanding in elegant, understated ballads is as striking as it is dutifully honed, and as if on cue we first get brought forth the soulfully affecting First Song which is in turn backed by the buoyantly controlled Amsterdam and the mesmerizingly cultured, stoic yet fluid The Call.

Along next is the vibrantly joyful Fanfare for Unity which is itself backed seamlessly by the dutifully impassioned 1979 Wayne Shorter cut Lady Day, the new set rounding out on the veritably spatial in its build The Great Outdoors, coming to a close on the fervently emotive Congregation.

Joe Lovano - Congregation [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link

www.joelovano.com

www.julianlage.com

www.willcalhoun.com

www.asantesantidebriano.com