Alex Dugdale
The Dugout
SELF-RELEASED (2021)

BY PAUL RAUCH

Alex Dugdale has graced the Seattle jazz landscape for some time now, firmly establishing his artistry through live performances with his Fade Quintet, and in manning the baritone chair in the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. The same question has followed him, whether from patrons attending one of his residency performances at the now-shuttered Tula’s, or at after concert receptions at SRJO. “Alex, when are you going to record?”

The Dugout at last answers that pervasive question, with the same energy as those many live performances. The music is essentially crisp, swinging hard bop. There are no mysteries here. The ebullient saxophonist/tap artist puts everything right up front in smackdown fashion, while at the same time, employing the direct exploration of beauty in ballad form as well. 

The seven tunes are all penned by Dugdale, and performed by his long-time trumpetless quintet featuring Cole Schuster (guitar), Greg Feingold (bass), Max Holmberg (drums), and John Hansen (piano). Dugdale contributes on tenor and alto saxophones, and with his feet, of course.

It is quite possible that Dugdale is more recognizable around town as a tap artist, than as a saxophonist, largely due to his annual tap performance as part of SRJO’s Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music production. His composition “Ti Fortu,” is an open canvas for his interpretive dance form, in direct duo conversation with Holmberg.

However, before the listener is treated to his tap artistry, there are many bop tenets to explore first. Dugdale’s style of hard bop tenor is more rooted in Coleman Hawkins than Sonny Stitt, as amply displayed on the album’s opener, “Soul Balls.” He turns melancholic for the ballad, “When Skies Turn.” Schuster opens with a gorgeous two- minute interlude, followed by Dugdale’s romantically charged tenor. His beatific approach to ballads is again, very reminiscent of pre-bop tenor, colored with Ellington-esque images. He shifts to alto for the title track in the same heart pounding fashion that he approaches tenor. His triadic skill set is completed, with tenor, alto, and tap all shedding light on Dugdale’s unique artistic makeup. 
The Dugout features a saxophone and guitar front line that is becoming more common on the current jazz scene nationally. The quintet as a whole bears traits of their long-time association. For fans of Dugdale, at least for now, that frequently asked question is finally answered.