.com When some pianists venture outside the trio mold, they're content with unison heads and the open field of the blowing session. Not so Fred Hersch, who here uses the quintet format for some demanding compositions and highly developed interaction. Adding trumpeter Ralph Alessi and tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby to his usual trio with bassist Drew Gress and drummer Nasheet Waits, Hersch has picked players with strong personalities as well as musical resourcefulness. The resultant chemistry is evident from the opening "A Riddle Song," where there's rapture in the collective improvisation among the horns. It's there, too, in the swinging playfulness of "Down Home," dedicated to Bill Frisell, and the glorious melodic sweep of "A Lark," dedicated to Kenny Wheeler and an apt showcase for Alessi's flugelhorn. The only cover, Lennon-McCartney's "And I Love Her," is another lyrical highlight, with Hersch's understated left hand and horn arrangements creating the illusion of an orchestra. The distinguished Malaby shows rare grit and romance in his solo on the ethereal "Rain Waltz," while "Lee's Dream," a duet for Malaby and Hersch, effectively invokes the fluid invention of Lee Konitz. Trio + 2 is always musically arresting, and often simply beautiful. --Stuart Broomer
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