An interesting evening. I'm not "into" jazz, in the sense of interest in and knowing much about the mainstream, but I've always found the more progressive stuff interesting. I came across Mark Lockheart via Polar Bear. His own quintet features trumpet, piano, bass, drums, all indecently talented, playing MLs own compositions. It is not a showcase for his tenor (and occassional soprano) playing - the compositions are often quite intense and more about the interplay between the instruments than individual glory. If anything, the piano is featured more than either of the horns.
Even so, there's no doubting the mans playing skills - very controlled but fluent style, no flashy stuff, and reflecting the intensity of his compositions. Very listenable, even Mrs. Dooce agreed; she who's knowledge of jazz extends to Kenny Ball and no further!