The Mingus Big Band’s Lauren Sevian, Jazz Jamaica All Stars’ Teresina Morra, and Céline Bonacina are just three of a new wave of young female baritone saxophone players to make an impression on the overwhelmingly male-dominated jazz band reed section scene in recent years. Now Bonacina, who in 2011 was part of the first wave of mentoring programme Take Five Europe, the Serious-backed initiative that spread out from a British base, returns with her latest album Open Heart. Bonacina began in Paris big bands during the late-1990s, and later made the unusual move to Réunion before returning to France to release her debut, Vue d’en haut. Released on 11 February, Open Heart sees ACT records keeping faith after the fine baritone stylist who plays in a Harry Carney-meets-John Surman way, won plaudits for her initial album for the label Way of Life and a nomination for a Victoire du Jazz award. On the new album it’s her playing that does the talking as the lively burbling momentum and spirit at work throughout goes some way to underline. With a trio featuring electric bassist Kevin Reveyrand and drummer Hary Ratsimbazafy, guests include former Miles Davis percussionist Mino Cinelu on a dozen-track set that also folds in a bonus live track featuring Michael Wollny, all more than going to show the bari player’s considerable mettle. SG

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