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Saxophone greats Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring reunite for their powerhouse third album recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club, Split Decision, featuring Mike LeDonne, John Webber, and Lewis Nash
20 years after they first went head to head on 2005’s The Battle, saxophone heavy-hitters Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring square off once again for a long-anticipated rematch. The ferocious swing and robust melodicism of Split Decision is the third in a trilogy of blistering summit meetings captured live on stage at Smoke Jazz Club.
While The Battle evoked the antagonistic tradition of cutting contests and sax duels, Alexander and Herring’s second meeting, Friendly Fire, suggested that its heated exchanges were at least on amiable terms. With Split Decision, the pair has reached a musical détente, two masters meeting on equal terms, with “victory” merely a question of personal taste rather than virtuosic one-upmanship.
“When you get to the level that Vincent and the musicians we’re playing with are at,” Alexander says, “assessing their worth compared to one another is absolutely subjective. “We have great rapport with each other,” Herring adds. “Eric is an amazing virtuoso and a master of melody. Playing with him is always inspirational for me.”
There’s also ample inspiration to be had when you’re working with the caliber of rhythm section that Alexander and Herring enlisted for these dates. Pianist Mike LeDonne and bassist John Webber reprise their roles from the two previous Smoke dates. This time around, they’re joined by the legendary Lewis Nash on drums.
Split Decision is a testament to the vitality and excitement of being there when these sax giants face off. The six-song setlist also puts the whole band’s estimable gifts in the best possible spotlight, stacked with memorable but not over-familiar tunes.
Anytime these two powerhouse saxophonists step on stage, their competitive spirit results in scintillating music of championship caliber.
