The Pauper & the Magician, Ari Hoenig’s tenth album as a leader, is a perfect platform for the veteran jazz musician’s many skills. Hoenig’s coherent compositional style, choice of brilliant and simpatico musicians, and white-hot drumming fill the album. Its title track courses through a gentle bolero to a playful through-composed section and rhythmically rambunctious solos.

February 2017 Issue