"Outbreak" is a high-energy original by pianist Anthony D'Alessandro from his 2022 album Searchin'. Composed in a distinctive AABBAA form spanning 40 bars in D minor, the tune tears along at nearly 280 bpm, demanding virtuosic command from all four soloists. Trumpeter Benny Benack III launches the solo section with a single incisive chorus, his lines cutting through the breakneck tempo with precision. D'Alessandro follows with two expansive choruses that showcase his fleet technique and harmonic daring at the keyboard. Bassist Neil Swainson contributes a muscular single-chorus solo, proving that the bass can hold its own at extreme tempos, while drummer Ernesto Cervini closes with a blazing drum solo that brings the performance to a climax. The title aptly captures the explosive energy of the track, which feels like a controlled detonation of rhythmic and melodic ideas. With four soloists each bringing a distinct voice to the proceedings, "Outbreak" serves as a showcase for the collective firepower of D'Alessandro's working band and stands as one of the most thrilling performances on the Searchin' album.
