*** Consuelo-Jon Quintet

LAST SUNDAY MORNING

(Accurate)

Consuelo Candelaria (pianist) writes, Jon Hazilla (drummer) propels, both teach at Berklee, and they draw in fellow music educators Bill Pierce (tenor and soprano saxes) and Tom Varner (French horn, sounding like a throaty trombone). Candelaria writes all nine tunes here except the lone, bright trio outing of Strayhorn's "Johnny Come Lately." The rhythms of her material cut in many directions, and she seats voicings admirably for the unusual front line. Her solos, meanwhile, have a cool, dispassionate overview, and she, Hazilla, and bassist John Mahdi display a distinct command of rhythmic intricacies and well-honed grooves.

Distinct also is that front line -- at once mellow and bittersweet. Pierce is in good, cutting form on the title tune and "Waltz for You," negotiating the twists and turns of harmony and tempo like the poised pro he's been since his Blakey days. Varner shines late in the date, a burnished sunset voice. He's regal on "In Your Voice" over Hazilla's brushes and cymbal cups and a plainsong piano/bass line. The closer, a cha-cha dedicated to Candelaria's home folks in New Mexico, turns into a sweet feature for Varner.

-- Fred Bouchard