"The Golden Mean" is a track from pianist Anthony D'Alessandro's 2022 album Searchin', a release that showcases his gift for composing within the hard bop tradition while bringing a contemporary sensibility. Built on a 24-bar blues form in C, the tune swings at a bright medium tempo and features a front line of trumpet and piano supported by drums. Trumpeter Benny Benack III opens the solo section with three spirited choruses, his bright, punchy tone cutting through the changes with rhythmic confidence and melodic invention. D'Alessandro follows with three choruses of his own, displaying the crisp articulation and harmonic sophistication that define his pianism. Drummer Ernesto Cervini caps the solo sequence with a single chorus that demonstrates his sensitivity to form and dynamic interplay. The title suggests a philosophical nod to balance and proportion, qualities reflected in the tune's well-structured arrangement and the measured generosity with which solo space is distributed among the musicians. Recorded with a working band feel, the performance captures the immediacy and conversational spirit of small-group jazz, offering a window into D'Alessandro's thoughtful approach to bandleading and composition.
