Young Warrior, Old Warrior

by Scott YanowAlthough an adventurous improviser always associated with the avant-garde, baritonist Hamiet Bluiett shows throughout this intriguing CD that he can also play blues and bop quite effectively. In fact, "Blues in F and G" is a straight-ahead duet by Bluiett with bassist Keter Betts. Some of the other songs feature the other musicians stretching themselves in Bluiett's direction, including a fairly free duet that he has with drummer Jimmy Cobb ("Jimmy and Me"). The music -- which is interpreted by a sextet also including trumpeter Jack Walrath, tenor saxophonist Mark Shim, and pianist Larry Willis -- certainly keeps one constantly guessing and has no slow moments.