When I moved back to New Mexico from New York City, where I lived a short walk from some of the best-known jazz clubs in the world, I figured that I would have little opportunity to hear quality jazz in Albuquerque. Much to my very pleasant surprise, the Santa Fe–Albuquerque corridor was and is brimming with players who have the chops to play on any stage with anyone—and have done—and there are terrific venues to accommodate them. Exhibit one: the Cal Haines Quartet at the Outpost on December 1.
