Kevin Sun, a saxophonist and composer based in New York City, releases Quartets on October 18, 2024, through his label Endectomorph Music. This double album is a culmination of Sun's involvement in the New York jazz scene since his arrival there a decade ago.

Quartets features two distinct ensembles, each occupying one side of the album. The first group, which Sun calls his "secret" quartet, includes Dana Saul on piano, Walter Stinson on bass, and Matt Honor on drums. These musicians have collaborated extensively with Sun throughout his discography. Still, as a unit, they were a secret because they had only been recorded together once before, on Sun's 2019 album The Sustain of Memory. The second ensemble introduces a fresh lineup with Christian Li on piano, Walter Stinson returning on bass, and Kayvon Gordon on drums.

The album's structure reflects Sun's evolving compositional approach. Side one showcases original compositions that Sun developed and workshopped with his long-standing quartet during the COVID-19 pandemic. These pieces explore various orchestration possibilities within the traditional jazz quartet format. For example, "Dance Notatio" and "Melpomen" challenge conventional roles, transforming the saxophone into a rhythmic component of a larger musical structure while allowing the rhythm section greater textural freedom.

Side one also includes more introspective pieces. "Shadows Over the Sea" exhibits Sun's less-frequently heard balladic style. An unexpected inclusion is Sun's interpretation of the title theme from the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This song provides a moment of contemplative stillness within the album.

Analyzing Ocarina of Time’s OST 1: The Title Theme

Ocarina of Time is a classic. It’s timeless, and beloved by many people. Personally, it’s in my top 5 Zelda games ever created. And I personally feel that the game’s soundtrack is one of the reasons why it’s so beloved by many. The OST ranges from bombastic, triumphant, and powerful, to creepy…

ZD Forums - Zelda Dungeon ForumsTheGreatCthulhu

The influence of cinema is evident in "Far East Western," a composition inspired by Akira Kurosawa's films such as Yojimbo and Seven Samurai. This track and "Storied History" demonstrate the ensemble's capacity for energetic, spontaneous performance. The latter piece also references Jerome Kern's "All the Things You Are," indicating Sun's engagement with jazz standards.

Side two of Quartets notes a shift in Sun's musical direction. Feeling creatively stagnant after two years of regular performances at Lowlands Bar in Brooklyn, Sun formed a new quartet to explore different musical perspectives. This side features a mix of original compositions and covers, showcasing a more melodic and relaxed approach than the first side's compositional complexity.

The second quartet performs Sun's original pieces, such as "Rudderless Blue" and "tbh," alongside an eclectic selection of covers. These include a rhythmically altered version of "On the Street Where You Live" from the musical My Fair Lady, Bruno Martino's "Estate," and an interpretation of Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Yellow Magic (Tong Poo)," originally associated with the Japanese electronic group Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Despite the change in personnel, certain themes persist across both sides of the album. "Homage Kond" pays tribute to Koji Kondo, The Legend of Zelda's composer. At the same time, "That Lights a Star" references another section of "All the Things You Are." "Outlawry," the oldest composition on the album, dating from 2013, revisits material Sun first developed with his earlier group, Great On Paper.

Quartets is Sun's sixth album as a leader, following his 2018 debut Trio and five subsequent releases. Beyond his solo work, Sun has contributed to recordings by various artists, including Adam O'Farrilll, Jacob Garchik, and Dana Saul. His international experience includes serving as the Artistic Director of the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra from 2018 to 2020.

Quartets offers a comprehensive view of Kevin Sun's musical interests and development over his first decade in New York's jazz scene. It demonstrates his ability to balance thoughtful, original compositions with inventive interpretations of diverse source material.