Jed Levy / Phil Robson Quartet
The Unpredictability of the Sea
Livia Records (2026)
The collaboration between tenor saxophonist Jed Levy and guitarist Phil Robson has developed steadily over the past decade, shaped by their shared experience across the New York and European jazz scenes. The Unpredictability of the Sea, recorded in Rome in late 2025, brings that partnership into focus through a quartet setting with bassist Mark Hodgson and drummer Roberto Gatto, presenting ten original compositions shared evenly between the two musicians.
From the outset, the album establishes a clear sense of ensemble identity. The opening piece “Authenticity” introduces the quartet dynamic with Levy’s tenor taking a more prominent role in the initial statement of the theme. While both saxophone and guitar step forward as solo voices, the structure is less about melodic exchange and more about how the two instruments complement each other, each returning to the core material as the piece unfolds. The result is a relaxed but focused introduction to the group’s sound.
There is also a familiarity in the quartet’s interaction that resonates beyond the recording itself. The interplay between saxophone and guitar recalls the kind of attentive listening environment that once defined nights upstairs in JJ Smyth’s, a setting where this kind of close, responsive ensemble playing could unfold at its best. Whether rooted in memory or simply in the character of the music, that connection feels immediate.
The album’s title track, “The Unpredictability of the Sea,” stands as one of its most expansive statements. At nearly nine minutes, the composition unfolds in several sections, moving between lyrical passages and more rhythmically animated episodes. The extended structure gives the quartet space to develop its conversational approach to improvisation, yet the sense of flow is such that its duration never feels overstated.
Elsewhere, “Calder” and “3 Chord Trick” highlight different aspects of the quartet’s approach. The former leans into a more interactive, rhythmically alert framework, encouraging close engagement between the frontline instruments, while the latter draws strength from a more direct harmonic structure, allowing groove and ensemble feel to come to the fore. Hodgson’s bass playing is particularly effective here, anchoring the music while adding subtle movement beneath the surface.
Midway through the album, “Bogs of Roscommon” introduces a more spacious, lyrical character. The pacing allows the melodic material to unfold with a sense of openness, while Gatto’s drumming adds colour through texture rather than density. “Love Loss” follows with a more intimate, reflective mood, its restraint offering a subtle shift in tone before the music moves on. In contrast, “Sluice” brings a renewed sense of momentum, with a more active rhythmic underpinning that pushes the quartet into a more energetic register.
The closing stages of the album maintain this balance. “Now” offers a concise and focused statement, while “Why” brings the recording to a reflective conclusion, returning to the kind of measured interplay that defines the quartet throughout.
Across its ten compositions, The Unpredictability of the Sea presents a quartet that values collective sound as much as individual expression. Rather than showcasing solo virtuosity alone, the music emphasises the evolving dialogue between four experienced improvisers.
The result is a recording that sits comfortably within the modern jazz tradition while maintaining a strong melodic identity — a thoughtful meeting point between composition, improvisation and ensemble interplay.
The Unpredictability of the Sea will be released on the Livia Records label on 8 May 2026.
For more information:
Jed Levy – https://jedlevy.com
Phil Robson – https://www.philrobsonmusic.com
Livia Records - https://liviarecords.com/
