Reflecting on the path his life has taken him on, “789 Miles” represents the distance from saxophonist Matt Olson’s childhood home in Wisconsin to his resent residence in South Carolina, where he’s on the faculty of Furman University. Through his original compositions, he sought to capture pieces of his upbringing and the lasting influence of his late parents.

In order to give the album a current feel, Olson also presents several compositions by current and former students at the University, performed in a trio with his longtime colleague Mike Kocour on B-3 organ, and drummer Dom Moio. From the hard swinging “Dance of the Dragonflies,” to the modern and open “The Wishing Well,” to Olson’s lone tenor on the title track, this trio

covers a lot of road.