Anthem For Peace

Description

Alto saxophonist and flutist Alan Braufman is a singular voice in the 1970s New York loft-jazz scene, with his debut album, *Valley of Search* (1975), which later became a landmark in spiritual jazz and free jazz. After decades of absence, Braufman made a triumphant return with the release of two highly acclaimed albums in 2020 and 2024, establishing him as a key figure and major player in the contemporary scene, long hailed as a "free jazz legend." Recorded in a single day in the autumn of 2025, *Anthem for Peace* is an unreleased studio album that reveals Braufman in all his current splendor. Leading a quartet composed of vibraphonist Patricia Brennan, bassist Luke Stewart, and drummer Chad Taylor, he delivers concise and impactful compositions, fluidly oscillating between spiritual anthems, driving post-bop, and hypnotic themes with Eastern influences. Brennan's vibraphone, with its shimmering acoustic and sometimes electronically processed sounds, adds depth and color, while Stewart and Taylor form a rhythm section of exceptional cohesion and responsiveness. The result is optimistic, precise music driven by a decidedly forward-looking dynamic.