Joe Lovano Quartet Classic! Live At Newport (2016)

"Classic! (Live At Newport)" is Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano's 25th release for Blue Note, recorded in August 2005 at the Newport Jazz Festival. Lovano has dedicated the album to the memory of his legendary pianist, the late Hank Jones, who was 87 years old when this performance was captured. In addition to Jones, Lovano is backed here by bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash.

It's safe to say that many years from now, when the critics and historians have the benefit of distance to help focus their thoughts, many if not most will continue to hail much of saxophonist Joe Lovano's presently-admired body of work on the Blue Note imprint. But what will stand tallest in said discography? Some may continue to laud the bold, rhythmically charged work of his Us Five quintet; others may celebrate his fascinating Trio Fascination outings; and a different faction may extol the virtues of his commanding quartet dates recorded at the hallowed Village Vanguard. There's no shortage of good options in a portfolio that contains more than two dozen offerings and spans more than a quarter century.