Robinson, Jason – “Tiresian Symmetry” – [Cuneiform Records]

There’s sax, flute, clarinet, tuba, bass, guitar, drums, glockenspiel…There are talented musicians interpreting (including Robinson himself) the music composed by this saxophonist who shares his expertise as a professor at Amherst College. There are well-written liner notes describing how the blind prophet Tiresias of Greek legend inspired the stories told by these alternately avant and straight-ahead jazz works that carry a depth open to interpretation by each individual listener, just as each musician improvises in his own unique way. Track 7 has a “blah-blah” mute that sounds like the adults in Charlie Brown cartoons. “Saros” is my personal favorite. Chock one up for a leader who helps redeem the reputation of the Singing College.