“Alto Avenue” by Justin Chart is a compelling testament to the enduring power and vitality of modern jazz, showcasing all the essential qualities that make a true jazz album resonate with listeners. Chart’s alto saxophone playing is both technically brilliant and deeply emotive, moving seamlessly between intricate, fast-paced Bebop runs and tender, introspective melodic statements. This command of his instrument and the narrative arc of his solos strongly recall the influential approach of Cannonball Adderley on “Somethin’ Else,” an album celebrated for its clear, articulate expression and the powerful interplay between its masters.

The album’s rhythmic foundation is impeccable, providing a solid yet flexible canvas for Chart’s improvisations and the contributions of his fellow musicians. There’s a palpable sense of swing and groove throughout “Alto Avenue” that is infectious and undeniably authentic.

Chart similarly steers “Alto Avenue” through a landscape of rich harmonies and compelling rhythms. The album captures that raw, in-the-moment magic of jazz, where the compositions feel less like pre-written structures and more like organic conversations among gifted musicians.

What truly elevates “Alto Avenue” to the upper echelons of jazz is its uncanny ability to communicate deep emotion through instrumental storytelling. The dynamic shifts, the thoughtful phrasing, and the intuitive call-and-response between Chart’s alto and the accompanying ensemble evoke a sense of controlled exultancy, a hallmark of classic jazz.