The surname Gabriel has plenty of resonance among those who are familiar with New Orleans jazz and its family dynasties. Charlie Gabriel, one of 17 siblings, is the son of reed player Manny Gabriel Jr, himself the son of the patriarch Manny Sr who played cornet and reeds, and his uncle was the famous bassist Percy Gabriel, who worked with Jay McShann and Lucky Millinder.

Although Charlie began his career in New Orleans, after time on the road with Lionel Hampton, he settled in Detroit. That remained his base until he moved back to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and he has worked in the city ever since, most recently as a member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

This CD’s title refers to his age at the time of recording, and he celebrates his 90th birthday this year. Made after he had lost his last surviving brother to Covid, the gentle chamber jazz here marks Charlie’s route out of depression via the healing path of music. His broad, woody, clarinet tone, mainly heard here on standards such as ‘I’m Confessin’’ and ‘Memories’ marks him out as a great practitioner of the Crescent City style, ageless and inventive. His tenor gets several outings, including on his original songs such as the original ‘Yellow Moon’ (joined by an anonymous percussionist) and here his style is emphatic as much as it is lyrical. Starkman’s accompaniment is subtle and understated, and Jaffe offers complementary support. Overall, the album’s great achievement is in presenting Charlie’s wonderful, fluid clarinet playing, nowhere better than on Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘Stardust’, where he works across the instrument’s entire register, and still finds joy in exploring a well-known standard.