Change-Up

Drummer Mat Marucci—who graciously imparts his impressive knowledge over at American River College—has a knack for delivering powerful performances in seemingly effortless packages, and he’s similarly talented at recognizing collaborators who can do the same. Combining the sense of free-bop with the sensibility of cool jazz (oh-so very Californian cool jazz), Marucci and his mates—Webb on saxes, Filiano on bass—appear to take a leisurely run through the tunes on Change Up—nine original songs, plus a cover of the Johnny Green standard “Body and Soul”—but there’s no mistaking the technical fireworks provided by all three of these rock-solid talents. Webb, in particular, shines. He displays a wonderfully lyric modalism—perhaps a nod to his time playing alongside Freddie Hubbard and Horace Silver.