Maxfield Gast Trio

Fri., Sept. 10, 9 p.m., $8-$10, with Oscuro Quintet, Moonstone Arts Center, 110 S. 13th St., second floor, luckyoldsouls.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

[ jazz ]

Maxfield Gast has played saxophone on recordings with Philly jazzbos (Puzzlebox), ska heads (Public Service!) and elegant world musicians (Bebek). None of those things prepare you for what a clear and concise ax man he is — possessing a richly snake-charming tone reminiscent of a sexier Paul Desmond whether on alto, soprano or tenor sax. Even when Gast expressed himself through taut improvisations on his wonky electro-funk debut Eat Your Beats, you didn't quite grasp what a cutting sense of dynamics and spirit he had. Side by Side, the first recording from his Trio (Brian Howell on upright bass, Mike Pietrusko on drums) remedies that. Filled with self-penned, self-produced tracks, Side by Side plays it cool and straight in calming post-bop fashion. "In the Fall" is spacious and, yes, autumnal. "Parallel" is a dancing leap through upward chromatics with Gast's tone at his most slithery. "Nine" is an ominously slow and rolling rhythmic escapade worthy of a cheap '50s detective flick with Gast finding all manner of light within the usual noir shadows. Impressive stuff, this.