Ari Hoenig's 2015 rendition of Sonny Rollins's "Pent-Up House" on the NY Standard series brings together a powerhouse ensemble for a high-energy exploration of the classic 16-bar form. Eden Ladin opens with five inventive piano choruses, his melodic imagination and rhythmic sophistication evident as he navigates the tune's harmonic landscape at a tempo nearing 240 beats per minute. Tivon Pennicott follows with two concise but impactful tenor saxophone choruses that pay homage to Rollins's legacy while asserting a personal voice. Hoenig then delivers the performance's climactic statement with four drum choruses that showcase his renowned melodic approach to the instrument, his ability to suggest pitch and tonality on the drums transforming what might be a conventional trading section into something genuinely musical. The arrangement includes trading passages between the soloists that highlight the ensemble's exceptional collective listening skills. The choice of "Pent-Up House" is fitting for Hoenig's project, as Rollins's compact, riff-based composition provides an ideal framework for the kind of rhythmically driven, interaction-focused jazz that defines the drummer's artistic vision. The performance crackles with the spontaneous energy of musicians challenging each other in real time.
