SCOTTISH NATIONAL
JAZZ ORCHESTRA – American Adventure
Spartacus Records STS018
Ru Pattison (as, ss); Martin Kerhaw (cl, as); Konrad Wiszniewski (ts); Bill Fleming (bs); Ryan Quigley, Cameron Jay, Tom MacNiven, James Marr (t, fl-h); Chris Grieve, Phil O’Malley (tb); Michael Owens (b-tb); Brian Kellock (p); Calum Gourley (b); Alyn Cosker (d)
Mike Stern (g); Tommy Smith (ts, dir.); Clarence Penn (d); Donny McCaslin (fl, ts); Joe Locke (vib); David Liebman (ss); David Kikoski (p); Joel Frahm (ts); Bill Evans (ts); Kurt Elling (v); Michael Dease (tb); Randy Brecker (t)
Recorded Avatar Studios, New York; June 2013
There can now be few superlatives that have not already been used in praise of the SNJO, and the orchestra under the direction of Tommy Smith is now firmly established as one of the finest big bands in the world. Such praise could also readily be seen as hyperbole were it not for the fact that it is has been pointed out so often by so many, and also by the glowing testaments of the distinguished US musicians that are featured on this fine disc.
Stopping off at New York’s Avatar Studios for a couple of days during their recent tour of the United States and Canada, the SNJO recorded some newly commissioned arrangements of some great compositions from the pens of Wayne Shrorter, Charles Mingus and Chick Corea in a set that looks back as well as forward in a truly creative and memorable recording.
Surprises abound in contemporary arrangements of some familiar material, some of which has not been heard in such a context previously. Fred Sturm’s arrangement of Marcus Miller’s ‘Splatch’ (recorded on Miles Davis’ Tutu album) featuring guitarist Mike Stern is a blistering start to proceedings, building to a climax with the sparring of Stern with drummer Alyn Cosker.
Not to be missed is saxophonist Bill Evans as heard on Chick Corea’s ‘Quartet No.1 (Part 2). Taking Michael Brecker’s famous part he may be, standing in Brecker’s shadow he certainly is not with his playing commanding attention at every turn.
Donny McGaslin, pianist David Kikoski and the master, David Liebman make ‘Pendulum’ by Richie Beirach a tour de force that should be by rights the show stopping piece on the disc if were not for a superb heart felt reading of Coltrane’s ‘Dear Lord’, again with David Kikoski at the piano and trumpeter Randy Brecker in what is a truly tremendous performance.
Kurt Elling gets his moment on a beautiful arrangement of ‘Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love’ that sounds slightly at odds with the powerhouse playing contained elsewhere. May be Tommy and the SNJO should have given the great man an album to himself, as this all to brief and tantalising piece can merely hint at the riches that further collaboration would yield.
Quite simply this is big band playing that is difficult to surpass, and indicates that the SNJO has a long and bright future whether presenting cutting edge new material or bringing the jazz tradition to new audiences. Live performances by the orchestra may be too few and far between, so make sure you catch them when you can.
Spartacus Records STS018
Ru Pattison (as, ss); Martin Kerhaw (cl, as); Konrad Wiszniewski (ts); Bill Fleming (bs); Ryan Quigley, Cameron Jay, Tom MacNiven, James Marr (t, fl-h); Chris Grieve, Phil O’Malley (tb); Michael Owens (b-tb); Brian Kellock (p); Calum Gourley (b); Alyn Cosker (d)
Mike Stern (g); Tommy Smith (ts, dir.); Clarence Penn (d); Donny McCaslin (fl, ts); Joe Locke (vib); David Liebman (ss); David Kikoski (p); Joel Frahm (ts); Bill Evans (ts); Kurt Elling (v); Michael Dease (tb); Randy Brecker (t)
Recorded Avatar Studios, New York; June 2013
There can now be few superlatives that have not already been used in praise of the SNJO, and the orchestra under the direction of Tommy Smith is now firmly established as one of the finest big bands in the world. Such praise could also readily be seen as hyperbole were it not for the fact that it is has been pointed out so often by so many, and also by the glowing testaments of the distinguished US musicians that are featured on this fine disc.
Stopping off at New York’s Avatar Studios for a couple of days during their recent tour of the United States and Canada, the SNJO recorded some newly commissioned arrangements of some great compositions from the pens of Wayne Shrorter, Charles Mingus and Chick Corea in a set that looks back as well as forward in a truly creative and memorable recording.
Surprises abound in contemporary arrangements of some familiar material, some of which has not been heard in such a context previously. Fred Sturm’s arrangement of Marcus Miller’s ‘Splatch’ (recorded on Miles Davis’ Tutu album) featuring guitarist Mike Stern is a blistering start to proceedings, building to a climax with the sparring of Stern with drummer Alyn Cosker.
Not to be missed is saxophonist Bill Evans as heard on Chick Corea’s ‘Quartet No.1 (Part 2). Taking Michael Brecker’s famous part he may be, standing in Brecker’s shadow he certainly is not with his playing commanding attention at every turn.
Donny McGaslin, pianist David Kikoski and the master, David Liebman make ‘Pendulum’ by Richie Beirach a tour de force that should be by rights the show stopping piece on the disc if were not for a superb heart felt reading of Coltrane’s ‘Dear Lord’, again with David Kikoski at the piano and trumpeter Randy Brecker in what is a truly tremendous performance.
Kurt Elling gets his moment on a beautiful arrangement of ‘Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love’ that sounds slightly at odds with the powerhouse playing contained elsewhere. May be Tommy and the SNJO should have given the great man an album to himself, as this all to brief and tantalising piece can merely hint at the riches that further collaboration would yield.
Quite simply this is big band playing that is difficult to surpass, and indicates that the SNJO has a long and bright future whether presenting cutting edge new material or bringing the jazz tradition to new audiences. Live performances by the orchestra may be too few and far between, so make sure you catch them when you can.