As an artist, saxophonist Jon Irabagon is a tale of two cities. Born, raised, and originally educated in Chicago, Irabagon finished his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and at Juilliard, before making a name for himself in the NY scene with Dave Douglas, Mary Halvorson, Ralph Alessi, Barry Altschul, Jon Lundbom, John Yao, and Mostly Other People Do the Killing. Now back in Chicago, he’s assembled a new acoustic quartet with fellow Midwestern musicians Russ Johnson (trumpet), Clark Sommers (bass), and Dana Hall (drums) for his latest album Someone to Someone.
Thematically a tribute to his hometown, the record pulls Irabagon’s musical facilities into one place. Avant-garde blasts nestle with bluesy swing on “Malört is My Shepherd,” a nod to one of the city’s favorite liqueurs. The meditative, yet still boiling, “Tiny Miracles (at a Funeral for a Friend)” high-fives Cubs fans who support their team literally until the very end. The title track salutes families born and found with a threnodial beginning and a boisterous middle. The city’s famous deep dish pizza receives accolades via “At What Price Garlic,” a shapeshifting epic that showcases each member as his finest.
Throughout Irabagon maintains a sense of whimsy, (mostly) eschewing sonorous solemnity for energy and fun. That makes Someone to Someone an immediately addictive journey even for those who’ve never set foot in Chi-town’s borders.
