Bought the Rhino reissue of “Apogee,” the 1978 tenor sax summit featuring Pete Christlieb and Warne Marsh and produced by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, who knew a little something about jazz. Very complimentary, rather than competitive, playing by Christlieb and Marsh.
Marsh is, justifiably, better known than Christlieb from his association with Lennie Tristano. But Christlieb was the tenorman in another notable band for years -- the Tonight Show orchestra. He’s also played with Tom Waits, notably on the very jazzy “Nighthawks at the Diner,” a personal favorite. His is a swinging power tone, I think in the manner of “Lockjaw” Davis, and it contrasts well with Marsh’s more subtle playing. Lou Levy is swingin' on the piano, too. Word is “Apogee” was one of the few great straight-ahead jazz records of the '70s. I don’t know about that, but it’s well worth getting.
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