Cadence Magazine October 2026 issue
JUSTIN CHART - Soul Scene - Universal Music Group 2026
Alto Saxophone: Justin Chart, Piano: Bill Cunliffe, Bass: Ken Wild, Drums: Andy Sanesi
When an artist steps up to the lineage of hard bop, the baseline requirement is a fierce, uncompromising command of the vocabulary. On Soul Scene, saxophonist Justin Chart demonstrates not just fluency, but total, authoritative mastery of the idiom. Teaming up with GRAMMY-winning pianist and master arranger Bill Cunliffe, Chart delivers a record that sounds like a lost classic from Blue Note’s peak era—re-imagined through a contemporary lens with pristine sonic depth.
Great jazz records rarely happen in a vacuum; they rely on the rare, unteachable chemistry between lead voices. On Soul Scene, saxophonist Justin Chart and pianist Bill Cunliffe reveal a musical partnership so seamless it feels as though they are reading off the exact same mental manuscript. Supported by a lock-tight rhythm section, Chart uses this album as a canvas to display his deep fluency in hard-bop grammar, while Cunliffe proves once again why he is one of the most versatile keyboard architects in modern jazz. To keep the fire of hard bop burning in the modern era, a musician must do more than simply rehash the patterns of the 1950s and 60s; they must internalize the language so deeply that it becomes their natural dialect. On Soul Scene, Justin Chart does precisely that. His alto saxophone work is steeped in the hard-bop canon—full of muscular tone, rhythmic swagger, and brilliant harmonic architecture. Paired with the sophisticated piano work of Bill Cunliffe, Soul Scene stands out as a vital, energetic entry in modern acoustic jazz.
The album kicks off with the title track, “Soul Scene,” a tune that leans heavily into a soulful, swaggering groove. Chart’s solo is a lesson in hard-bop phrasing. He uses short, rhythmic riffs, deep bends, and sudden, dazzling runs that showcase his technical precision. Cunliffe’s accompaniment is masterful, using bluesy fill-ins and crisp, syncopated chords that push Chart to dig even deeper into the pocket.
The album quickly shifts gears with “Go To It,” a blistering straight-ahead burner. Here, Chart displays his virtuosic dexterity, tossing off crisp chromatic enclosures and blues-scale embellishments at top speed, yet Chart’s phrasing never feels rushed. What makes the performance truly electric is the synergy between Chart and Cunliffe. As Chart hits the peak of his improvisation, Cunliffe responds in real-time, matching his dynamic swells with sparkling double-time piano lines that elevate the tension to a fever pitch.
The mood shifts drastically on “She Comes in Waves.” Here, the duo slows the tempo to focus on lyricism and color. Chart’s saxophone takes on a warm, velvety timbre, demonstrating his control over dynamic nuance. Cunliffe’s comping is lush, providing a rolling chordal foundation that allows Chart’s phrases to float effortlessly across the bar lines. Ken Wild's bass solo feels just right.
With “Rainmaker,” the pair returns to a grounded, soulful groove. Chart’s command is apparent in how he constructs his solo—building from sparse, rhythmic statements into complex, high-register peaks. Cunliffe supports this arch beautifully, building his accompaniment from delicate accents into full, thunderous block chords.
The mid-album highlight “The E in FREE” gives Chart, Cunliffe and bassist Wild room to stretch the harmonic envelope. Chart’s improvisational lines balance classic post-bop shapes with unexpected, modern intervals. Cunliffe keeps the momentum going with rhythmic block chords and cascading arpeggios that mirror Chart’s outside-playing. At 2:00, the compositional frame opens up, shifting the energy from thematic exposition to modal, blues-infused exploration.
Sanesi’s drums and Ken Wild’s bass shift gears from keeping a tight, locked-in pocket to driving the track with greater dynamic tension and propulsive momentum. Sanesi opens up his cymbal work and fills to signal the soloist's entry.
Cunliffe’s piano comping drops the rigid melody line and transitions into sparse, modal chords. This gives Chart maximum harmonic flexibility to bend notes, push outside the key center, and build long, architectural lines.
Chart takes over the space with his signature high-energy phrasing—moving from the laid-back vocal quality of the main theme into rapid; fiery runs that redefine the intensity of the track.
That shift at 2:00 is effectively where the song earns its title—moving from structured ensemble playing into the raw, uninhibited "free" energy of hard-bop.
“Sun Smiles Darkly” demonstrates Chart’s ability to paint complex emotional landscapes. His horn tone shifts between delicate whisper and commanding cry; I truly appreciate his harmonic substitutions. Cunliffe provides a breathtaking, impressionistic piano backdrop that complements Chart's lead line effortlessly. Wild's bass is rich, with a real identity.
On the shadowy “Umbral,” the duo explores tension and release. Chart utilizes subtle microtonal bends and dark harmonic colors, proving his hard-bop vocabulary extends far beyond standard blues riffs into deep modal territory. Cunliffe responds with sparse, brooding harmonies that give the piece its haunting shape.
The record culminates in “Fever Dream,” there is truth in this title, It is the soundtrack to a fever dream. A track that leaves no doubt about the emotional prowess of Chart, Cunliffe, Wild and Sanesi. Chart’s saxophone solo has passion, and structural logic. Cunliffe matches him stride for stride, proving that when two musicians share this level of vocabulary and trust, the results are nothing short of transcendent.
Soul Scene is a brilliant release that honors the lineage of hard bop while carving out a distinct, modern path forward.
Dan Kaplan