David S. Ware

When David S. Ware plays his distinctive tenor saxophone, one cannot help but think he is a direct disciple of John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, and David Murray. His edgy, dour, and dynamic sound retains a verve, control, and balance that many free improvisers cannot claim.

"Let's be bold: the David S. Ware Quartet is the best small band in jazz today. I realize that I will almost certainly hear another quartet, or trio or quintet or octet, this week or next, that will make me want to backpedal. But every time I see Ware's group or return to the records, it flushes the competition from memory." -- Gary Giddins, Village Voice

Tenor saxophonist David S. Ware's quartet has become a key institution of the "ecstatic" movement--latter-day free jazz--delivering nonstop intensity with the leader's vast, harrowing wail, the complex detailing of pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist William Parker beneath, and the roll and tumble of a series of drummers.

Through the '90s, Ware and Co. brought the sound of Coltrane's classic Quartet back to life, then shattered it into a thousand new possibilities. Ware's group has shaped an ocean of sound into outsized, abrasive, soulful jazz. This record again features the talents of the band's newish drummer, the subtle, chatty Susie Ibarra.

I'm sure you've experienced music that blows your socks off when you first hear it, and then you listen to it again and again, and it gets better all the time. This double vinyl album is like that.

Recorded live in concert at the Abrons Arts Center, NYC on October 15, 2009, Saturnian documents master saxophonist David S. Ware's triumphant return to performance following his kidney transplant in May 2009.

The recording and release of Onecept celebrates David S. Ware's 50th year of singular and profound saxophone artistry; a studio session specifically arranged for same featuring Ware on three saxophones – saxello, stritch, tenor – along with fellow musical masters William Parker (stalwart fellow prophet) on bass and Warren Smith (also featured on Ware's album Shakti) on drums and tympani.