Jean Toussaint makes it a fraternal affair on Frith Street

Last summer saxophonist/educator Jean Toussaint convened a cracking septet at Ronnie Scott’s for the release celebration of Songs for Sisters, Brothers & Others, on David Lyttle’s Lyte Records. The double CD was recorded live at London’s Cadogan Hall during 2022’s London Jazz Festival and also in Barcelona with a local rhythm section. The group at Scott’s, by any measure, amounted to an UK jazz supergroup, with pianist/arranger Jason Rebello, trombonist Dennis Rollins and Byron Wallen joining saxists Toussaint and Soweto Kinch, bassist Connor Chaplin and drummer Ben Brown. Toussaint, born in Aruba, was raised in St Thomas with six siblings before a move to NYC and ultimate relocation to London. Much of the material at Scott’s paid tribute to surviving siblings, Hubert, Yve, fellow musician Neomie and recently departed sister Rose.

‘Cry for the Unheard’ was dedicated to the latter and featured the pewter-like gleam of the leader’s unpretentious tenor, shrugging in lament or ‘reluctant acceptance’ regarding her demise, nonetheless buoyed by his team’s infectious swing. Rebello arranged the gauzy tide of ‘Blues for Yve’ which began with an opening fanfare from the horns, heralding a trenchant foray from Kinch’s alto, thence contributions from Rollins on his buttery custom Rath ‘bone and Wallen’s uplifting trumpet, all horns convening in perfect equilibrium on incidental melodic figures. Other highlights included Toussaint’s payback paean to Berklee mentor Billy Pierce ‘Pay the Bill’ - a hardscrabble, chisels-out sax joust with Kinch that recalled the leader’s 80s heyday with Art Blakey and the Messengers, plus a joyous homage to the main man’s mum with a funkified ‘God Bless The Child,’ after which Toussaint took his brethren out onto Frith Street for a commemorative snap.