The trombone is not always heard out in front of an ensemble. But in the hands of East Coast player (and long-time Saturday Night Live band member Steve Turre, with his caramel tone and rhythmic assurance, it’s the perfect vehicle for a set of ballads like The Very Thought of You. With a quartet including master pianist Kenny Barron, Turre doesn’t stay in one place stylistically. Some tempos inch upward, like “September in the Rain” and the Charlie Parker classic “Yardbird Suite” (the latter featuring tenor sax great George Coleman), while four tracks have full string accompaniment arranged by Marty Sheller. Turre’s originals include stark duets with guitarist Russell Malone (“No Regrets”) and drummer Willie Jones III (“Freedom Park, SA”). “Carolyn (In the Morning)”, by trombone forebear J.J. Johnson, is another inspired choice, and the traditional “Danny Boy” makes for an ideal closer, with Turre’s plunger mute evoking wistful moods.