Noah Preminger, Sky Continuous Review

Noah Preminger has released his twelfth and third album as a leader for the Criss Cross jazz label called Sky Continuous. Preminger presents a trio with bassist Kim Cass and drummer Bill Stewart with Sky Continuous. Preminger leads the chordless trio on tenor saxophone through nine selections; eight are his original compositions.

Stewart opens the album with a solo drum intro. Then, Preminger and Cass perform parts of the intricate melody together. Cass is agile on the bass and has a powerful, round woody sound.

Preminger uses the sounds the trio has to offer judicially. His unaccompanied saxophone opens “High or Booze” as Stewart opens the before mentioned song. It is little details like this that keep the album flowing.

“Iris” features Cass’ chordal bass playing for an intro before the trio performs an introspective and emotional ballad.

Ending on a high note, “Little Melonae” is a fun track with the trio swinging joyously. Preminger’s tenor playing is melodic as he develops long eighth-note passages bookended by rhythmic motifs.

Overall, Sky Continuous is a solid listen. Preminger’s playing is precise and melodic through the harmony as Cass and Preminger listen to each other’s harmonic language well. The compositions are enjoyable and varied. Preminger is a fine saxophonist that will appeal to the more serious jazz listener with this chordless trio as that sound is not as popular as the fuller chord-supported quartet. That’s the short of it!