(Arthur Sadowsky)

Growing up in the Soviet Union, Arthur Sadowsky was raised on Russian classical music, but that all changed with his introduction to the genius of Joe Zawinul. That feeling comes through in the bassist-composer’s approach to the tunes which make up Beautiful Moments, his second release as a leader. The arrangements of works here, including five original compositions, are a balanced fusion of the straight ahead and slightly avant garde. Sadowsky finds interesting inroads to a song as an arranger, taking on works by Irvin Berlin, Michel Legrand, Tad Dameron, Zawinul and Miles Davis among others. The excellent ensemble on this production includes Justin Mullens and Shunzo Ohno on trumpet, David Comidi on saxophones, Joel Rosenblatt on drums and Carlos Gomez on triangle. Just really solid musicianship to be heard on this very enjoyable recording.