James Carter: Next Steps

This melody-loving saxophone modernist proves a great companion for exploring jazz history, from the luxurious blues of "Parker's Mood" (with Detroit altoist Larry Smith) to a squealing, frantic, gospel-tinged take on Roland Kirk's "Many Blessings." Carter picks up bass clarinet for a tribute to "Bro. Dolphy" and luxuriates in the gypsy-jazz romanticism of Django Reinhardt's "Nuages."