Affinity

Made up of soprano saxophonist Joe Rosenberg (the quartet’s leader), tenor saxophonist Rob Sudduth, bassist Michael Silverman (who succeeded Richard Saunders), and drummer Bobby Lurie, Affinity offers recorded many very interesting models for the Music & Arts label. In 1993, the flexible group (located in North California) interpreted functions by such varied jazz experts as Lee Morgan, Lee Konitz, Ornette Coleman, and Anthony Braxton on the first documenting (Takes on Nine Contemporary Jazz Classics). Later on models included tributes to Coleman (with visitor Dewey Redman) and Eric Dolphy (using Friend Collette like a 5th member). Which range from bebop to free of charge bop, Affinity continues to be one of the most stimulating (if underrated) sets of the middle- to past due ’90s.