Among Giants
Sarah Hanahan
Among Giants
by Sarah Hanahan
Label: Blue Engine
Release Date: June 21, 2024
★★★★½
Alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan’s debut album, Among Giants, is a bold statement, not just for the sheer prowess of her playing but for the legacy it honors. With a lineup that includes legends like drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, pianist Marc Cary, and bassist Nat Reeves, Hanahan makes it clear that she's both a student and a torchbearer of Jazz’s grand tradition. From the first notes of this eight-track record, it’s apparent that she’s more than ready to stand among the very giants she’s invoking.
The opening track, John Coltrane’s Welcome, is a fitting introduction to Hanahan’s commanding voice on the alto sax. Her tone is full-bodied, each note laced with the spirit of Jackie McLean and Coltrane. It’s a fiery start, but Watts’ driving rhythms and Cary’s atmospheric comping keep the track grounded, allowing Hanahan the space to explore the higher reaches of her improvisational vision. The result is nothing short of transcendent—an invitation into a world where history and innovation coexist.
Hanahan’s originals, like the bebop-tinged NATO, showcase her knack for crafting tunes that feel both fresh and steeped in tradition. The track’s rapid-fire exchanges between her sax and Watts’ forceful drumming create a sense of urgency, pushing the ensemble to exhilarating heights. Special guest percussionist Bobby Allende adds a vibrant layer to the mix, especially on tunes like We Bop! and the calypso-flavored Honey, where his polyrhythmic flourishes perfectly complement Hanahan’s melodic explorations.
Yet it’s not all intensity and fire. Hanahan shows a remarkable ability to navigate ballads with grace and depth. Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust is a prime example, where she transforms the standard into a deeply personal meditation, her phrasing tender yet richly infused with the blues. Cary’s piano accompaniment here is particularly sensitive, laying down lush harmonies that let Hanahan’s alto float and sway like a slow dance between old friends.
The entire album feels like a conversation—between Hanahan and her mentors, between the past and the future of Jazz. And at its heart, it’s a celebration of that tradition, with Hanahan proving herself as not just a skilled instrumentalist, but as a composer and bandleader with something vital to say.
Track Listing:
Welcome; Resonance; A House Is Not A Home; NATO; Honey; Stardust; On The Trail; We Bop!
Personnel
Sarah Hanahan • alto saxophone
Marc Cary • piano
Nat Reeves • bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts • drums
Bobby Allende • percussion