JAZZ, SMALL ENSEMBLE

The enormously prolific (age 85) Lloyd (on tenor sax, sometimes flute) is joined this time by guitarist Bill Frisell (also a longtime member of Lloyd’s group, The Marvels) and Thomas Morgan on bass. These pieces were recorded ‘live’ in a chapel, thus the title.

All instrumental. FCC clean

1 very slow, somber & elegiac. Billy Strayhorn wrote this for Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges while dying of cancer. Lloyd & Frisell trade the lead backed by subtle bass. I find it a bit aimless. (7:24)
2 * slow. a lovely romantic piece led by guitar, then bass, then sax. pleasant listening (9:00)
3 ** slow. a slightly dissonant intro turns into a truly beautiful & graceful ballad. Long alternating solos by Frisell and Lloyd are exceptional. Midway there’s an interesting shift of tempo & rhythm into something vaguely Latin. The fade out is just gorgeous. (7:20)
4 slow. a breathy flute leads the first & last thirds with a guitar section in the middle (9:49)
5 ** slow then mid-tempo. Frisell begins with some nice solo improv. When the sax & bass join in, things shift up in tempo & take on a Caribbean bounce. A guitar & bass duet passage is delightful. It keeps getting better & better. (12:20)