In 1995, Carl Saunders had his long overdue recording debut as a leader. All but two of the ten selections on Out Of The Blue are performed with a quartet comprised of two famous veterans (pianist Roger Kellaway and bassist Buster Williams) and drummer Santo Savino; the latter is a very solid player who Saunders has known for quite sometime from his years in Las Vegas.

Saunders performs five standards, two songs from Scott Tibbs (an up-and-comer also from Las Vegas) and three of the trumpeter’s originals. The music is straight ahead jazz but never predictable or safe.

The much-played standard “Stella By Starlight” acts as a perfect start for this quartet set. Saunders’ tone is quite appealing, his solo is fluent and he displays the ability to play softly when hitting high notes or negotiating speedy runs, using dynamics expertly. After Kellaway has a solo, Saunders is heard on five overdubbed trumpets for a chorus arranged by Med Flory before a brief spot for Williams. “We’ll Be Together Again” is given some modern harmonies before Saunders and Kellaway take melodic solos that keep the melody and the melancholy mood in mind. The trumpeter’s “Prudence” offers fresh chord changes and heated solos, along with some explosive outbursts from the leader; Kellaway and Williams also excel in their short spots.

Scott Tibbs’ “Personas Gratus” begins with Saunders’ “trumpet section” before he takes a classic bebop solo that shows off his wide range and his ability to build up an improvisation. “Sad Happiness” has lots of feeling in Saunders’ flugelhorn statement, and a typically improvisation from the virtuosic Kellaway. “I Should Care” starts out with a brief trumpet-bass duet before Saunders cooks with the quartet. Sometimes played as a ballad, the attractive chord changes of “I Should Care” are explored by Saunders and Kellaway in their medium-tempo solos and they also have a quick tradeoff with Savino. “Love For Sale” is also a cooker with Saunders, Kellaway and the masterful Savino trading sixteens, instead of the usual fours and eights.

Tenor-saxophonist Jerry Pinter and trombonist Andy Martin are added to two of the last three songs. Tibbs’ moody ballad “Haunted Heart” has thoughtful and melancholy solos from Saunders and Pinter. The most unusual piece of the set is Frederick Chopin’s “Minute Waltz,” a classical gem that features long flowing lines which leave little room for breathing. While most horn players would have difficulty fighting their way through the melody, Saunders (who has the ability to take very long breaths while playing) has no difficulty at all. Kellaway, refusing to be overshadowed, plays a hyper solo himself before the impressive closing melody. Out Of The Blue closes with another of the trumpeter’s originals “This Is The Blues,” a lowdown blues with the full sextet that has solo space for Pinter, Martin, Saunders and Kellaway.

Overall Out Of The Blue is quite a debut, showing any fortunate listeners what jazz fans in Los Angeles have long known: Carl Saunders is one of the best!

--Scott Yanow