Live Snakes

Boston’s RSE have been around since 1990 under the leadership of alto saxophonist Ken Fields. Channeling a New Orleans brass band bounce, a bit of Sun Ra space exploration, and a flair for colorful costumes, this highly mutable band brings the party. Recorded live in 2011 and 2013 with an extended family of 15 players passing through, the band’s third album is dedicated to Fields’ wife, who lost her battle against cancer a week after the first session. She's sent out in style with the slow dirge “For Karen,” which appropriately evolves into an uproarious classic brass sendoff, “I’ll Fly Away.” “Rock of Ages” and “Que Sera Sera” carry on the wake with Fields and Matt Darriau trading off saxophone lines and Josh Roseman adding joyous trombone lines. Special props go to drummers Joey Lefitz and Kenny Wollesen, a loose-limbed duo that drives tunes like the percolating “Parade” and “Slots” as well as the groove-based “Cassandra 4,” which is also nicely remixed here. It's a bittersweet premise, but this jazz celebration should bring a smile to anyone’s face.