Project Them (feat. Bob Franceschini, Mark Sherman, Mitchel Forman, Martin Gjakonovski, Adam Nussbaum & Paolo Disabatino)

Tenor saxophonist Bob Franceschini and vibraphonist Mark Sherman first dreamed of having a band together when they both attended New York City’s High School of Music and Art. They each went on to successful careers; Franceschini has played with The Yellowjackets and Mike Stern, while Sherman has played with Ruth Brown and Larry Coryell and traveled in classical circles. Now making their recording debut after a few tours, this collaborative postbop quintet is rounded out by drummer Adam Nussbaum, bassist Martin Gjakonovski, and alternating keyboardists Mitchel Forman and Paolo di Sabatino, with tunes coming from different players. Jazz fans will likely get a kick out of Franceschini’s “Minor Turns,” which reorients John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” with a new melody. Those seeking more heat can turn to Sherman’s “Submissive Dominants” or “Angular Blues.” The lone non-original, Paul Williams\' “Close Enough for Love,” is reimagined as a bolero with the soft touch of a late-night rendezvous. All in all, it’s a nice debut by a jazz band of seasoned veterans, offering encouraging possibilities for the future.