by Matt Collar
Featuring an all-star group of contemporary jazz musicians including saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarist Mike Stern, and drummer Peter Erskine, Jazz Academy is a pleasant collection of original comtemporary jazz composed by pianist Hans Georg Pommer and Uwe Buschkotter. In truth, Brecker only plays on half the selections here. That said, the album is no less listenable as David Mann takes over the tenor chair on the rest of the tracks. Also joining in on a few cuts is trumpeter Chris Botti. Fans of instrumental pop and fusion should find much to enjoy here.