by

Ezra Gale, Jazziz

A Vision of Beauty (RJM)

Alto saxophonist Ron Jones' self produced debut recording, A Vision of Beauty. Vision of Beauty, should inspire fans to seek out Jones and his quartet if they find themselves passing through Louisville, Kentucky. It also should serve as a reminder that first rate jazz is alive and well outside the boundaries of major metropolitan areas and record labels. Brimming with inspired performances, A Vision of Beauty is primarily a straightahead session, but it manages to sound fresh because of some inventive arrangements and the cohesive sound of Jones' quartet. Bassist Tyrone Wheeler and drummer Terry O'Mahoney lock in flawlessly, while veteran pianist James Williams is brilliant throughout, shining especially on a duet with Jones that segues from "Try a Little Tenderness" to "Lush Life".

Jones deserves the limelight. It would be easy to tag him as a protégé' of Cannonball Adderley since his style has more than a hint of Adderley's joyful bluesiness (and since one of Jones' three originals is titled "One for Julian"). But there's much more to his playing: His soloing sometimes reflects Jackie McLean's playfulness and his adventurous composing and arranging skills place him within the tradition of Wayne Shorter. In fact, the opening original, "One Step Up," wouldn't sound too out of place on Shorter's Juju album.

The other thing Jones has going for him is his impeccable taste in material: Tom Harrell's beautiful "Sail Away" is given the reverential reading it deserves, and the group's swinging rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is" is a fresh reminder of that tune's greatness. The album's closer, a supercharged version of Sonny Stitt's "The Eternal Triangle," features some of Jones' most fiery soloing. If Jones meant it as a declaration that he's a voice not to be taken lightly it's the perfect ending.