Saxophone Journal Review

By Frank Bongorno

SO NEAR, SO FAR
Stephen Pollock

Alanna Records (ACD 6000)

A long time member of the acclaimed New Century Saxophone Quartet, tenor saxophonist Stephen Pollock has released his first solo CD, So Near, So Far. Pollocks’ formal studies on saxophone have been with renowned concert tenor saxophonist, James Houlik, at the North Carolina School of the Arts where he received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Over the years, he has performed as principal saxophonist with numerous symphonies and has served on the faculties of Davidson & Salem Colleges, as well as the North Carolina School of the Arts, among others. Pollock is currently an adjunct professor of saxophone as well as saxophone chamber music coach at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He keeps a busy performance schedule as a member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet, as well as a soloist and clinician throughout the country.

So Near, So Far is a collection of the most beautiful melodies ever written, some written for saxophone and others simply borrowed and revisited for saxophone use. In the liner notes, Pollock discusses his interest and love for the melodic and the lyrical, from his early days as a youngster listening to his parents hum or sing folk melodies, to the time he first heard the beauty and mastery of the tenor saxophone tone emanating from Jim Houlik’s instrument.

The CD features Pollock in various settings from string quartet to saxophone quartet, and saxophone with piano. Given the nature of the CD, with its emphasis of simple, lyrical melodies, the arrangements would have to be creative and interesting, or else the recording could sound repetitive or even redundant. However, other than Pollock’s exceptional musicianship, the arrangements used for the folk tunes and transcriptions are not only creative and interesting, but often lift the music to another level of musical character and significance.

Of the thirteen selections, five are performed with the Alexander String Quartet, Oblivion, the title cut So Near, So Far (written by Pollock), Barbara Allen, The Water is Wide, and My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. In each case, the saxophone and string quartet are well balanced and blend very nicely with one another. While the quartet provides a polished performance of mainly accompaniment, it is able to soar with thematic materials as well as easily become part of a backdrop of sound and rhythm when necessary. The performances by the quartet and Pollock almost always seem to create as sense of uniqueness and personality for each of the pieces performed. For example, Piazzolla’s Oblivion projects a mood of sadness and tragedy with its haunting melody, while Barbara Allen’s lilting melody and its creatively refreshing arrangement has a playful personality and a character of youthful innocence.

Pollock is joined by Armenian pianist, Vahan Sargsyan on six cuts on this CD, Danny Boy, Three American Songs of Love, O Garish world…long since thou hast lost me, Past Singing Springs, Aria, and Milonga del Angel. Sargsyan and Pollock are able to create a fine ensemble balance between the two instruments, and have an excellent musical rapport, especially for some of the pieces requiring rubato and interpretive musical freedom. Of particular interest is Pollock and Sargsyan’s interpretation of Danny Boy. Coupled with a unique and well-crafted arrangement by Glenn Haynes, Danny Boy is given a tasteful makeover of harmony and interpretation.

Solely saxophonists play O Northern Star and Over the Rainbow, the remaining selections on the CD. The New Century Saxophone Quartet give a stirring performance of Pollock’s composition, O Northern Star, while Branford Marsalis weaves through Pollock’s melody on an arrangement of an old standard, Over the Rainbow.

Pollock writes much on the importance of melodic beauty and colors of tone in his liner notes, and he does not disappoint on this CD. Each composition is played with much thought given to the beauty of line and tone quality of the saxophone. The final product is a wonderfully lyrical CD with beautiful melodies and lush tones coloring the listener’s palette to create a warm, and very listenable recording.

Other performers on this CD include Vahan Sargsyan, piano; the Alexander String Quartet; and special appearances by Branford Marsalis (soprano saxophone), and John Patitucci (bass).