Saxophonist Dan Moretti shows that democracy is not just applied in the political arena but can be implemented in a band’s rapport, which he does so confidently as a trio with bassist Marty Ballou and drummer Marty Richards on his latest recording, Tres Muse from Foundations Jazz Records. In the tracks, each musician has an equal say in the content of the compositions making space for everyone to indulge in a freedom of expression. The trio swings, bops, jams, and ruminates softly through the album without imposing constraints on their mobility.

For instance, the crashing high tops and rampant splashing of Richards ad-hoc drum solo in “Fais Do-Do” is earthshaking, though the ruckus he creates subsides as the album segues into the soothing surf of “The Whisper” where the caressing strums of Ballou’s bass softens the puncturing thrusts of Moretti’s saxophone. There are a few selections that show hints of New Orleans stylized jumping jazz like the swing-embellished trills that cuff “Cajun The Squirrel,” and the carousal ride of jostling shimmies coursing through “Mumbo Jumbo.” Other numbers are reflective of jam session-spiked energy like the smoke stacks of saxophone spurts landscaping “Guacamaya” which are augmented by a pulsating bongo beat, and the free-flowing exchanges made between the sleek saxophone twits and the gentle percolating beating in the rhythm section along “The Corner.” The album slows down in the closing tracks “Ready Set Free” and “Leelander” creating a candlelight jazz sonorous with inflections of ambient-spirituals and moonlight-blues.

Dan Moretti and his band offer plenty of zesty excursions and moments of in-depth contemplation on Tres Muse making it able to serve multiple purposes. Like most democracies, the album sounds like it was made with a purpose in mind as the musicians explore the many ways in which they spur each other onward and bond together. Tres Muse is one experiment whose outcome meets jam-activated jazz standards and encourages such organic exchanges and emotive channeling in all jazz forums.

Hear Dan Live

Dan will be performing at Jazz Underground Cafe, on Friday February 5th.