Ryan Middagh - LYDIALIEBMAN.COM

Tenor Madness
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Label: Ear Up Records

Tenor Madness is Ryan Middagh’s venture as a bandleader and arranger and is a love letter both to the saxophone itself, and the ebullient saxophonists of the Nashville music scene. The album’s title, Tenor Madness, is straightforward yet profoundly effective in its conciseness. By harkening back to the title of one of jazz’s most legendary albums which itself featured two of the greatest luminaries of jazz saxophone, Middagh directly aligns himself with the traditions of jazz history. Moreover, the title informs listeners exactly what to expect - this album is a celebration of the saxophone, with skill, mastery, and creative flair akin to the jazz albums of old that adorn the record players and headphones of every fan of the genre. To further hammer this point home, all one has to do is look at the lineup of saxophonists present and one immediately knows that what will ensue is madness of the most excellent sort. Tenor Madness features alto saxophonists Alex Graham and Jovan Quallo; tenor saxophonists Jeff Coffin, Don Aliquo, and Joel Frahm; Kevin Shinskie on both alto and tenor saxophones; and Jimmy Bowland and the bandleader himself, Ryan Middagh, on baritone saxophone.

The album’s title track, “Tenor Madness”, is a rightly lauded flagship piece for the album. Featuring powerhouse soloists Jeff Coffin and Joel Frahm, Middagh’s arrangement places his own adventurous spin on the beloved blues that takes listeners on a veritable odyssey. “Wiley Roots”, Middagh’s original composition, is another tenor battle, and this time the showdown is between Jeff Coffin and Don Aliquo. Additionally, Middagh remarks, “It’s just a really fun composition to play.” Notably, it features one of the few non-saxophone solos, a gorgeous improvisation by trombonist Roy Agee. “This Time the Dream’s on Me” is a special track for the bandleader. Middagh created this arrangement while he and his wife were expecting their first child, and thus the piece shimmers with the undulating sense of wonder and awestruck anticipation. Due to the personal nature of this piece, it is also poignant that this is the sole track that Middagh chose to step into the spotlight on as a soloist, with an emotive baritone saxophone feature.

The depth of collaboration on Tenor Madness is something remarkable. From the song selection to the recording process itself, Middagh cites his band as having their fingerprints deeply embedded within the details of this album. Notable examples of this can be found in the pieces “Wired” and “Waiter, Make Mine Blues”. The former is an original composition by Alex Graham, one of the band’s alto saxophonists. Middagh’s arrangement of Graham’s piece was originally commissioned for the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance, and thus was a fitting conclusion to this saxophone-heavy album. “Waiter, Make Mine Blues” was recommended by the band’s vocalist, Jenna McLean, and is a powerful feature that is tailored to her distinctive voice. In addition to the contributions of performers, Middagh makes sure to highlight the work of recording and mixing engineer Dan Rudin. “I have had the privilege of collaborating with Dan on several projects, and he is one of the best in the business,” Middagh says. “I always love working with him.”

In addition to the saxophone section listed previously, the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra comprises of Steve Patrick, Tyler Jaeger, Jeff Bailey, and Olivia Achcet (trumpets); Jonathan Salcedo, Roy Agee, and Sarah Morrow (trombones); Martin McCain and Liam Barron (bass trombones). The rhythm section consists of: Lindsey Miller (guitar), Pat Coil (piano), Jake Jezioro (bass), and Marc Widenhofer (drums).

With Tenor Madness, Middagh displays his master craftsmanship as an arranger, not only in his ability to create and orchestrate sonic worlds, but in his ability to design the framework in which the personalities of his musicians may shine. Tenor Madness is a salient work of arranging, bandleading, and teamwork, and the end result is a celebration that fully lives up to the legacy its title evokes.