Saxophonist Walter Smith III pays homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas on his sophomore Blue Note album, “three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not”, the follow-up to 2023’s “return to casual”. The album’s wry title signifies the lineup, which includes fellow Houston natives – pianist Jason Moran and drummer Eric Harland – while bassist Reuben Rogers, who hails from the Virgin Islands, rounds out the quartet. Together they enliven 10 compelling Smith originals and an imaginative rendering of a Sam Rivers composition – all of which speaks to Smith’s ascending status as one of modern jazz’s most engaging talents of his generation.

Tracklisting:

A1. seesaw
A2. Gangsterism on Moranish 
A3. 24
A4. Misanthrope's Hymn
A5. Cézanne
B1. 610 Loop
B2. Point of Many Returns
B3. Montrose Nocturne
B4. Office Party Music
B5. A Brief Madness
B6. Lone Star

Walter Smith III: Tenor Saxophone / Eric Harland: Drums / Jason Moran: Piano / Reuben Rogers: Bass