In this duo setting, saxophonist and clarinetist James Evans and pianist Lawrence Sieberth celebrate material from the American songbook on the aptly named Standardized with shared musical temperaments. Though the two come from varied backgrounds and geographies, they thoughtfully come together with mutual respect, gentle touches and intuitive improvisations on 10 timeless standards.

“Night and Day” sets the ambiance of the album in its soft call of romance. Evans, a native of North Wales who moved to New Orleans in 2013 to further his emergence as a clarinetist in the traditional jazz for which he’d been known, displays his saxophone skills on this truly lovely rendition of the ballad. Meanwhile, Sieberth, a vital and longtime member of this city’s modern jazz scene, known for his ability to enhance the music in any style, creates tasty waves and ripples on which Evans’ horn floats, dives and soars.

Some of these classic selections remain immediately recognizable, though, through creative design: it might take a few bars to catch on to the melody of “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” Sieberth sets the lively feel of the up-tempo “There Is No Greater Love,” on which Evans even gets his sax honkin’ and the piano gives it a boogie-woogie treatment.

Sieberth opens Cole Porter’s classic “What Is This Thing Called Love?” alone, with his notes seemingly asking the timeless question. Evan’s responds with his fluttering and sky-reaching horn.

Because of James Evans’ and Lawrence Sieberth‘s tasteful and carefully crafted renditions of these much-loved tunes, Standardized is a welcome addition to the beauties who came before.

The album is available here.