Nicole McCabe is a new name to me. She’s an alto saxophonist and a rising star on the Los Angeles jazz scene. She has a strong grounding in jazz, having studied with the likes of Patrice Rushen at the University of Southern California, where she earned her Masters. She is now involved in jazz education herself, both at California State and teaching public school students.
Musically, McCabe seems to take inspiration from a variety of different sources. While her new album is focused entirely on her own jazz compositions, she is also one-half of electro-jazz duo Dolphin Hyperspace (with her partner, and bass player on Mosaic, Logan Kane), has delivered the Improvisations EP, which features alto sax and electronics, as well as delivering a live album of standards (Live at Jamboree, 2024).
In addition to bass player Kane, the new album features the extremely impressive Verve recording artist Julius Rodriguez on piano (and occasional Rhodes) and Tim Angulo on drums. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya and trumpet player Aaron Janik expand the line-up to a sextet on two tunes, including opener Force Of Good, while legendary Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker – who also produces – adds his own contributions to the ballad Tight Grip.
McCabe’s compositions seem to be inspired by people she has come across in her life. The first two tunes are part of a suite “for women that have influenced my life, who shaped me, female mentors specifically.” Tight Grip was written for an uncle that she lost to drug addiction.
Listen to Force Of Good here:
The compositions are rhythmically complex and somewhat challenging, and Mosaic takes a few listens to process, but if you are prepared to do that, you will reap the rewards. McCabe’s tone is rich and expressive throughout, and a joy to listen to. Her arrangements, particularly for the sextet, are genuinely impressive for such a young musician, and the band are tight-knit, with Rodriguez the stand-out, both for his solos and support work.
Some of the arrangements were a little too “busy” for me, and there were occasions where I yearned to have more space for the melody to breathe, but that’s just my preference. There’s plenty to here to enjoy and admire, and it’s an album that definitely rewards repeated listening.
The album was released in late May on Ghost Note Records.
