Recent Listening: James Moody

James Moody, 4B (IPO). According to the evidence on this CD due for release in early August, Moody at 85 is undiminished in energy, endurance, chops and harmonic imagination. In the companion to last year’s 4A, the winner of the JJA’s 2010 lifetime achievement award moves at deliberate speed— swinging—through jazz and standard classics including “Take The ‘A’ Train,” “Hot House,” “But Not For Me,” “Bye Bye Blackbird” as a waltz, and compositions by Kenny Barron and Todd Coolman. Barron, on piano, and bassist Coolman reconstitute two thirds of Moody’s superb 1980s rhythm section. The impeccable Lewis Nash is the drummer. Nash’s solo on “Take the ‘A’ Train” is a highlight. All hands get plenty of solo time. Throughout, Moody plays the tenor saxophone, his preferred horn. The proceeding has the air of a high-level jam session. That is a compliment. As usual with Moody, joy predominates.