Ragged Jack

by Nitsuh AbebeDespite the presence of John Zorn as executive producer, Ragged Jack is a slightly traditional jazz record -- Jamie Saft plays piano and contributes a little less than half of the record's compositions, Cuong Vu plays trumpet and provides several more compositions, Andrew D'Angelo plays alto saxophone and bass clarinet and turns in two compositions, and Jim Black provides drums and percussion. The resulting sessions have a fractured bop feel that might be marginally influenced by the Downtown scene, but tend more toward solid, "traditional" free-jazz.