Cadence Jazz World
Feature Review
November 2025
Justin Chart
Tall Trees
Universal music Group
Justin Chart's latest release, Tall Trees, is the art of a jazz trio, where the barebones configuration of alto saxophone, bass, and drums demands both profound lyricism and relentless invention. Joined by the formidable rhythm section of Max Gerl on bass and Kendall Kay on drums, Chart delivers a dynamic and powerful performance that is instantly arresting. His alto playing is characterized by a soulful urgency, effortlessly shifting between blues-drenched melodic statements and bursts of hard-bop fire. Unlike ensembles where the rhythm section merely provides a backing track, Gerl and Kay act as equal conversationalists, creating a constantly shifting rhythmic and harmonic landscape that pushes Chart to new expressive heights. The result is an album that feels spontaneous, raw, and deeply communicative, showcasing Chart's renowned ability to generate sophisticated, yet intense improvisations that show what Justin does best, be in the moment.
This album is a complete, unified artistic statement. You could appreciate a single chapter, I feel that Tall Trees is a novel. I truly enjoyed Tall Trees as a singular comprehensive experience. The decision to feature the saxophone in a piano-less trio format immediately invites comparison to the giants who mastered this sparse, exposed setting, most notably the legendary Sonny Rollins. Like Rollins on classics such as Way Out West or A Night at the Village Vanguard, Chart revels in the creative freedom that the absence of a chordal instrument provides. This "strolling" approach allows his alto saxophone to outline the harmonies with total authority, resulting in solos that are structurally robust and intellectually compelling, all while maintaining a strong emotional core. Where Rollins often used the trio to explore thematic development with wry humor, Chart uses it to reveal a powerful, bluesy undercurrent, injecting his alto with a palpable sense of passion and narrative depth that is both technically dazzling and profoundly moving.
What truly elevates Tall Trees is the symbiotic relationship within the trio. Bassist Max Gerl steps into the harmonic space left open by the piano, not just walking the line but engaging in call-and-response with Chart's alto, anchoring the music while simultaneously launching it into unexpected territories. Drummer Kendall Kay provides a foundation of rhythmic complexity and drive, constantly modulating the energy and texture of the pieces. This highly intuitive and interactive relationship echoes the chemistry of the greatest small ensembles, establishing the Justin Chart Trio as a contemporary powerhouse. Tall Trees is a vital addition to the modern jazz catalog, solidifying Justin Chart’s reputation as a masterful storyteller whose dynamic and soulful playing honors the rich tradition of the saxophone trio while forging a distinctly modern sound.
You can listen to Tall Trees and feel the power that is evident. As a tree sustains life by providing oxygen. These three gentlemen are doing the same for modern day jazz by communication through their deep roots. I recommend Tall Trees to experience the thrill of spontaneous creation and to hear and feel virtuosity with heart. In the forest of jazz, Chart, Gerl and Kay are Tall Trees.
Dan Kaplan
Jazz Journalist
Artist Website
https://justinchartjazz.com