Walter Smith III: ‘Twio, Vol. 2’

Sax player and composer Walter Smith III takes another swing at his Twio concept with Twio, Vol. 2, a collection of 10 tracks with Joe Sanders & Kendrick Scott and special appearances from Ron Carter and Branford Marsalis.

From the opening bars of My Ideal, Smith sets the tone for a very laid-back and chilled album. Originally released as the single, this track is the perfect introduction to Smith’s sound and approach to jazz, with Joe Sanders (bass) and Kendrick Scott (drums).

Tracks like the more frenetic Circus and freer Light Blue show what Smith was aiming for: “The goal was to find tunes that are in the standard repertoire, but not the ones that everybody plays all the time. Tunes that are adjacent to those, that would allow us to play the way we play without trying to be too traditional with it.”

When it comes to the inclusion of bassist Ron Carter, there is always an expectation of class, but Smith remarks on how accommodating and collaborative the famously prolific bassist was during the sessions. “Ron’s input is like, ‘Don’t just play what you want. Listen to what I’m doing, I have some ideas that may take you in different directions.’”

It speaks volumes not only that Carter should contribute more than bass lines and that Smith should welcome his additions, borne of huge experience.

Fellow-saxist Marsalis tears along in duo form with Smith on Casual - Lee (also including Carter) and there is a genuine sharing of the lead chair, particularly when the two swap segments of a solo,

Watch out for some early summer dates across the USA and Europe to hear this impressive sax man in person.

Walter Smith III’ s Twio, Vol. 2 is out now on Blue Note Records