The title track of Sam Dillon's 2018 debut album, "Out in the Open" is an original composition by the New York-based tenor saxophonist that reveals his developing voice as a composer. Set in E-flat minor with a 32-bar ABAB form, the tune moves at a moderate swing tempo of approximately 148 BPM and features a harmonic framework that provides ample room for extended improvisation. Dillon takes three expansive choruses on tenor saxophone, using his own composition as a vehicle to showcase the robust tone and narrative arc that define his improvisational approach. Pianist Peter Zak follows with two focused choruses that explore the tune's harmonic possibilities with characteristic intelligence and swing. As a title track, the composition makes a statement about Dillon's musical identity, blending the hard bop tradition with a personal harmonic sensibility. The moderate tempo and open harmonic structure invite the kind of relaxed, storytelling improvisation that both Dillon and Zak excel at. The recording serves as a centerpiece for an album that balances original material with jazz standards, establishing Dillon as both a capable improviser and a thoughtful composer within the contemporary straight-ahead jazz tradition.
