Artist: Nicole Glover
Album: Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Genre: Post-Bop, Contemporary Jazz
Label: Savant Records
Released: 2025
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Tracklist:
01. Obsidian (Allen II) - 5:40
02. No.2 (Williams) - 5:26
03. Petrichor (Glover) - 3:53
04. Resilience (Tucker) - 5:27
05. Spy (Lazar) - 2:35
06. Androgeny (Shahid) - 0:47
07. Broken (Korten) - 5:28
08. II for Richard Davis + Henry Grimes (Glover) - 3:04
09. March (Yamanaka) - 4:25
10. Bird Feathers (Parker) - 4:55
11. Tell Him I Said Hello (Canning-Hegner) - 5:37
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Personnel:
Nicole Glover - tenor saxophone
Lester St. Louis - cello (#1,8)
Tyrone Allen II - bass
Kayvon Gordon - drums
Nicole Glover’s latest trio album, “Memories, Dreams, Reflections”, feels like a cool, creative continuation of the storied lineage of tenor-sax-led, chord‑less jazz. Think Sonny Rollins’ spirit, yet utterly Glover’s own journey. With Tyrone Allen II (bass) and Kayvon Gordon (drums) in rhythmic dialogue, and occasional cello by Lester St. Louis (on two tracks), the record oscillates between propulsive swing and moody abstraction.
From Portland’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra to her current role in NYC’s ARTEMIS and Ursa Major, Glover’s trajectory has been meteoric. A well-travelled bandleader and educator based in New York (on faculty at Manhattan School of Music), she embodies the divine nature of sax-led trios, with a fine balance of boldness and restraint in her playing.
The album opens with “Obsidian,” a muscular, dark-hued statement featuring driving bass lines and crisp, hard-edged tenor. On “No. 2” and “Petrichor,” the trio’s tonal subtleties emerge – Glover’s phrasing is thoughtful yet adventurous, always striking that elusive balance between lyricism and risk. “Resilience” has a rugged swing feel; “Spy” and the briefer “Androgeny” offer quicker, compact bursts of energy. The standout ballad “II for Richard Davis + Henry Grimes,” with cello joined in, brings a poignant intimacy to the session. This track in particular has a dream-like, beguiling nature to it that opens up a different feel from the musicians.
The choice of repertoire is intriguing, ranging from Glover originals (“Petrichor,” “II…”) to compositions by others, including a snarling version of Parker’s “Bird Feathers.” According to the liner notes, each piece (except her originals) is by a different composer, reflecting a tapestry of influences – a rich family tree of mentors and peers according to Or Bareket.
What works really well is the trio’s cohesion. Allen’s bass is often equal partner, Gordon’s drumming alternates between subtle texture and assertive thrust, never overplaying Glover’s canvas. Yet the record doesn’t quite reach greatness, it feels cool, confident, and consistently interesting, but lacks that transcendent spark to make it truly magnificent. Even so, “Memories, Dreams, Reflections” asserts Nicole Glover’s place among today’s forward‑thinking saxophonists. It’s intelligent, occasionally daring, and always an immersive listen.
by Mike Gates