Lights in the Darkness

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, December is a very dark month (the farther norther, the darker.)  It's no coincidence that our distant ancestors created holidays around "lights", events that came down to us as Hannukah, St. Lucia Day, St. Martin's Day, the Thai holiday of Loi Kraothong, Diwali in India and, of course, Christmas.

Perhaps, it's also a coincidence that we feel the loss of people close to us and/or people we respect more strongly this time of year.  The world of creative American music has lost many musicians in 2013 and it seems that this December has been extremely tough.

Perhaps the biggest shock is the passing of bassist Dwayne Burno (pictured above) who died on December 28 from complications of kidney disease.  Burno, a native of Philadelphia, PA, worked with so many musicians, from pianists Harold Mabern and George Colligan to trumpeters Jeremy Pelt, David Weiss, and Wallace Roney to vocalist Abbey Lincoln. - he was so popular because he was such a solid and fluid player.  His bandmates could always count on Burno to create a strong foundation for them to work off of.  Yet, if the listener paid close attention, you could hear how creative the bassist could be playing counterpoint to the soloists, his great sense of melody shining through.

Dwayne Burno leaves behind his wife Wendy and 7-year old Quinn.  There is a way to help his family with expenses - working musicians rarely have access to good health insurance (perhaps the Affordable Care Act will help to change that) - by going to fundly.com/our-friend-wendy-just-lost-her-husband-and-needs-help and making a contribution.

In the past few weeks, we have been notified of the passing of guitarist Jim Hall, saxophonist Herb Geller (pictured left), pianist Stan Tracey, drummer Ricky Lawson, pianist Boyd Lee Dunlop, the celebrated reed master Yusef Lateef and, in late November, drummer/composer Chico Hamilton.  With the exception of Lawson (59 years old), these fine musicians were over 80 years old and most of them were still active (or had been active up to the past year.)  Pianist Dunlop, the brother of drummer Frankie Dunlop (Thelonious Monk), had returned to performing and recording music in 2010 after a 5-decade layoff.  Herb Geller, who played alto saxophone as well as flute, moved to Europe in the early 1960s, settling in West Germany where he had a long and busy career as a musician and educator.  You can find out more by going to www.theguardian.com/music/2013/dec/29/herb-geller.

If you can find the time, check out any of these musicians that you might be unfamiliar with to find out why and how their music brought light to this often dark world of ours.

Little Big Bands & Bright Moments + Gift From Paris

When I first discovered the recordings of drummer Shelly Manne, the scope and breadth of the music was quite impressive. Tucked away in his discography on Contemporary Records with his group, "The Men", is "Volume 6" featuring an expanded group (10 musicians) performing "Concerto for Clarinet and Combo." Composed by clarinetist Bill Smith, the music mines the rich veins of jazz, blues and classical music.  Smith, born in Sacramento, California, in 1926, studied at Mills College, University of California/Berkeley and the Juilliard School, has spent much of career teaching at the University of Washington but did perform and record with pianist Dave Brubeck off and on for several decades.

Clarinetist/composer Mike McGinnis (The Four Bags, OK|OK) first learned about Smith's "Concerto.." from WNYC-FM host and composer David Garland.  McGinnis visited Smith in Seattle and sowed the seeds that has resulted in "Road*Trip" (RKM Music), the debut CD by Mike McGinnis + 9. With an ensemble that features Jeff Hermanson (trumpet), Justin Mullens (french horn), Brian Drye (trombone), Matt Blostein (alto saxophone), Peter Hess (tenor saxophone), Barry Saunders (baritone saxophone) plus the rhythm section of Jacob Sacks (piano), Dan Fabricatore (bass) and Vinnie Sperrazza (drums), McGinnis illustrates how the 3-part "Concerto" does seamlessly evoke the "big band sound" that the composer grew up idolizing but also how an intelligent arranger could create a piece that so wonderfully blends the excitement of a strong soloist with ensemble parts that truly move the music forward.

To make his discovery of Smith's music come full circle, McGinnis composed "Road*Trip For Clarinet & 9 Players" - in the liner notes, the composer notes the influence of Smith's composition as well as his work with Anthony Braxon on his visionary "Trillium E" opera. One can hear how McGinnis's work updates the ideas behind the "Concerto", how it gives more space and importance to the rhythm section (Sperrazza's work is exemplary) and this composer's voicings make the band musch larger than 10 pieces.

The best way to listen to "Road*Trip" is to first concentrate on the fascinating arrangements, then the rhythm section and finally to revel in the luxurious solo work of Mike McGinnis.  As a closing treat, "Road*Trip III: Up and Out" features short solos by the entire ensemble plus a brilliant call-and-response for clarinet and 9 players.  It's a wonderful way to complete a "wonder-filled" trip!  For more information, go to www.mikemcginnis.com.

Composer/guitarist/arranger Justin Morell also creates a fusion between classical forms and jazz ensemble on his new recording "Subjects and Complements" (Sonic Frenzy"). Credited to the Justin Morell Dectet, the majority of the pieces feature Bob Sheppard (alto and soprano saxophones), Ben Wendel (tenor saxophone, bassoon), Phil O'Connor (bass clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophone), John Daversa (trumpet, flugelhorn), Alan Ferber (trombone), George Thatcher (bass trombone), Leonard Thompson (piano), Damian Erskine (electric bass) and Mark Ferber (drums) - tenor saxophonist Matt Otto is featured on 5 tracks, standing in for either Wendel or O'Connor.

The 12-song program opens with the longest track (nearly 11 minutes), "Noun Ember", a finely constructed piece that has well-defined sections, an active arrangement and several smart solos.  Morell follows that expansive work with the first of 5 fugues that are spread across the program. "Fugue in B, in three voices"; this uncluttered work truly illustrates what a fugue is, in many ways related to the call-and-response of blues and jazz but with the added element of a third "voice" playing "counterpoint" to the original melody (read a good definition here).  Morell's "Fugue in B-flat, in three voices" is set to an infectious and often beat while "Fugue in E-flat, in five voices" opens with Mark Ferber's drums as the first "voice" and the rest of the instruments build from his part. "Fugue in E, in three voices" has the feel of progressive rock while "Fugue in C, in 3 voices" reminds this listener of a work by Erik Satie with its gentle melody lines.

Other highlights include the sweet blues/pop feel of "O", Morell's handsome guitar leading the way.  "The Straight Man" has a melody line reminiscent of "With a Little Help From My Friends" but has its roots firmly in the blues.  The sauntering rhythms support short yet sparkling solos from Wendel and Sheppard but the composer takes his time getting there, allowing for a long introduction and smart counterpoint.  The electric bass work of Damian Erskine (the nephew of drummer Peter Erskine) is exemplary throughout; whether he's holding down the bottom or playing counterpoint, his warm tones and rich melodic phrases are a delight. Having Ferber as a partner allows plenty of room move about as the drummer is ever-so-solid. There's a touch of Bob Brookmeyer in the melody and arrangement of "Sun Subtle"; one can hear in the "open spaces" of the horn voicings and the loping rhythm section (excellent piano work from Thompson.)

"Subjects and Complements" was issued in November of this year and the music has posited itself in my ears ever since.  The subtlety of the arrangements, the mature melodies, and the seemingly ego-less playing of the Dectet make this a joyous listen.  Justin Morell is a voice and musician who gives one much for the future of creative music and this CD is well worth exploring time and again.  For more information, go to justinmorell.com.

Received a complimentary note plus CD from Paris-based composer/ vocalist Loïs Le Van, "The Other Side" (Hevhetia) a few weeks after Thanksgiving. Turns out M. Levan is an up-and-coming star on the European jazz scene, a vocalist who has studied with Roger Letson and David Linx, taken "Master Classes" with people such as Kurt Elling and saxophonist Mark Turner, and won the 2012 "Voicingers" contest held in Poland.  Levan is a member of the a cappella sextet Ego-System, leads duos with guitarist Aliocha Thevenet and pianist Sandrine Marchetti plus sings with Belgian jazz/rock group Canopee.  

"The Other Side" is his debut as a leader, fronting a Sextet that features Ms. Marchetti, Thomas Mayade (trumpet, flugelhorn), Manu Domergue (mellophone, french horn) and the splendid rhythm section of Leila Renault (double bass) and Roland Merlinc (drums). Levan composed 8 of the 11 tracks, all but 1 set to the lyrics of poet/songwriter Francois Vaiana.  The remaining songs "Old and Wise" (originally recorded in 1982 by the Alan Parsons Project) plus Tord Gustavsen's "Home" and Wayne Shorter's "Ana Maria", both with lyrics by Vaiana.  M. Levan sings in English throughout and there is a vulnerability when he inhabits the lyrics of "Prophets and Sons" - "One day I'll have a son and he will be the unknown soldier,/ that's what the elder said,/he'll be forgotten" shadowed by Ms. Marchetti's piano and the quiet bass of Ms. Renault.  A long unaccompanied piano solo leads the listener into "Happenings Before Dawn", its impressionistic lyrics painting a picture of restless youth wandering the streets.  There's a palpable shock when the sextet enters for the bridge.  M. Merlinc's active percussion dances below the band then pushes and pokes at the brass during the short solo introduction to the title track.  One hears the influence of Kenny Wheeler coursing through a number of the pieces (and not just during the times when the horns are playing.)  Laura Karst's lyrics for "Venture" retell the Greek myth of Daedalus and his son Icarus make their escape by attempting to fly away above their captors. (Ms. Karst must have been introduced to M. Levan by Roger Letson, as they both were his students in California.)  Here, the floating feel of the chords and impressive flugelhorn solo is an excellent match for the vocal (meanwhile, the drums are exploding like fireworks beneath.)

The CD closes with "Are We The Unknown (Ana Maria)", opening with mesmerizing piano and lyrical french horn, before the vocal enters. The beautiful melody, composed by Mr. Shorter for his "Native Dancer" Lp", here retains its Brazilian roots but M. Vaiana's lyrics and Ms. Marchetti's arrangement inject a touch of melancholy.  

"The Other Side" serves as a fine introduction to the work and generous spirit of Loïs Le Van.  While the CD is not scheduled for release until well into 2014, be on the lookout for it as, hopefully, you'll be as moved by the music the way that I am.  To find out more, go to www.loislevan.com/english/.  

The Rest of the Best Of 2013 (Part 5) with Best Debut

I promise - this is it.  Making up my mind has always been an issue (except for my favorite flavor of ice cream) and this List is approaching record (no pun intended) numbers.

Noah Preminger released his 3rd CD as a leader and continues to mature as a musician and composer. "Haymaker" (Palmetto Records) features Ben Monder (electric guitar), Matt Pavolka (bass) and the exciting Colin Stranahan (drums).  The leader wrote 7 of the 10 tracks, building most of the pieces off the fine interplay of the rhythm section and Monder's often brilliant accompaniment.  A highlight of the young tenor saxophonist's career is his work on ballads which one hears on pieces such as "My Blues for You" and "Tomorrow" are exemplary. This is a working group so one would be wise to catch them in person.

Tenor saxophonist/composer Dayna Stephens also continues to impress with this smashing Sunnyside release "That Nepenthetic Place" - like Preminger above (and the saxophonists below), Stephens is a fine composer, playing to his (and his bandmates') strengths.  Joe Sanders (bass) and Justin Brown (drums) join Taylor Eigsti (piano) to create a formidable rhythm section.  With guest such as Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Jaleel Shaw (alto saxophone) and Gretchen Parlato (vocals), these tracks crackle with excitement and ingenuity.

Other highlights of 2013 include "Lifted Land" (Criss Cross) from David Binney, "Bridges" (PosiTone Records) from pianist/
composer David Ake (and a great sextet), "Time Travel", the newest collection from Dave Douglas and his new Quintet), and "Works" (Connection Works Records) from the trio of Michel Gentile (flute), Daniel Kelly (piano) and Rob Garcia (drums)

The Dickens Campaign is the trio of Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Jesse Lewis (guitar) and leader/drummer Deric Dickens and "Oh Lovely Appearance" (self-released) is a fine and fun collection of tunes dedicated to the work of musicologist Alan Lomax.  There's blues, gospel, country, folk, hard rock, jazz and more coursing through the 44-minute program.  Knuffke continues to impress as one of the more "soulful" young brass players and Dickens is a player who does not need to show off; instead, each song has its own personality.  Oh, what fun! For more information, go to www.dericdickens.com.

The latest Steve Coleman & Five Elements CD is a quintet hit titled "Functional Arrhythmias" (Pi Recordings); the music has a danceable quality thanks to the superb bass and drums of Sean Rickman and Anthony Tidd.  The rhythm guitar work of Miles Okazaki gives great support to the front line of Coleman (alto saxophone) and the fine young trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson.  As one works his way through the songs, melodies arise over the powerful rhythm tracks and you can really hear how the sax and trumpet weave through.  Funky, rich and pleasing listening, Steve Coleman continues to blaze trails.

Finlayson's debut as a leader came out this year on Pi Records as well.  "Moment and the Message" also features guitarist Okazaki alongside pianist David Virelles, bassist Keith Witty and drummer Damion Reid.  While the focus is most certainly on the excellent musicianship, do not ignore the leader's fine compositions as well as his smart arrangements.  There is so much going on that one is continually surprised when returning to the CD.  Information about this release and the Coleman disc can be found at pirecordings.com.

2013 was a splendid year for creative music and there is much to be thankful to for.  Most of all, I'm thankful to you, dear reader, as I begin the 5th year of blogging about music in Connecticut and the music that comes to me from around the world.  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may 2014 bring the peace and tranquility that we all yearn for.

The Continuing Saga of The Best of 2013 (Part 4)

Grading is mostly done, meetings completed for this calendar so, now back to my favorite recordings of 2013.  These posts looks at ensembles of all shapes and sizes, save for big bands.

Tarbaby - the trio of Orrin Evans (piano), Nasheet Waits (drums) and Eric Revis (bass) - is an ensemble that never plays it safe. Its 3rd CD, "Ballad of Sam Langford" (HipNotic) is, at turns, raucous, political, experimental, "free" and funky, featuring Oliver Lake (alto saxophone) and Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), both of whom display fire and flair when they play. The trio breathes as one throughout and never cut corners or look down on the listener.  Honest and brave music, deserving of a wider audience.  Honorable mention goes to bassist Revis's Clean Feed release of 2013 "City of Asylum", also a trio recording, this one featuring drum master Andrew Cyrille and the classy pianist Kris Davis. Recorded right after the group was formed, the music is free yet rarely formless.  Reports of the trio's live shows says the music is even more expansive as the musicians continue to push each other.

Drummer/composer Barry Altschul returned as a leader this year with "The 3Dom Factor" (TUM Records), an ensemble that features the elastic and exciting bass work of Joe Fonda alongside the ever-maturing saxophone playing of Jon Irabagon.  Like the trios above the music on this CD is expansive, fiery, often quite melodic, and, in Altschul's case, a true rhythmic treat.

Honorable mention goes to "Nameless Neighbors" (Sunnyside Records), the debut recording of the Nick Sanders Trio.  Young Mr. Sanders, who turned 26 last week, is a fine composer and pianist who's not afraid to be melodic and emotional as well as intense and swinging.  This is really good music.

Saxophonist/clarinetist released 2 CDs of poetry and original music in 2013, both featuring the dynamic French pianist Laurent Coq with the rhythm section of Yoni Zelnick (bass) and Karl Jannuska For this edition of (drums).  The initial release, "Words Project IV" (New Amsterdam Records), features the vocals of Christine Correa singing the words of poets such as Charles Simic, Carl Sandburg, Fernando Pessoa and George W. Bush (the former President might not view his effort as poetry), among others.  The interaction of the rhythm section with the front line not only supports the vocals but adds different colors.

At the same time this program was created, Sadigursky and Coq also recorded "Mots Croises: Crosswords" (self-released), more words and poetry but this time with a different.  The leaders chose 4 poems  - one each by D.H. Laurence, William Carlos Williams, Blaise Cendrars and Eugene Guillevec - the saxophonist and pianist wrote music for each tune, with Ms. Correa singing the English lyrics and French chanteuse Laurence Allison singing the French lyrics. As a bonus track, Sadigursky wrote music for a poem by Mariel Rukeyser and the vocalists both sang in English.  I'm not sure one disc is better than the other - I'd get them both.  For more information, go to samsadigursky.com.

Sam Sadigursky is also featured as part of the sextet on "Musica Para Un Dragon Dormida" (BJU Records), the impressive 3rd release by pianist/composer Emilio Teubal.  Percussionists Satoshi Takeishi and John Hadfield work alongside cellist Eric Friedlander and bassist Moto Fukushima to create a program that reflects the composer's Argentinean upbringing.  Many of the pieces have rhythms that percolate and undulate, with Sadigursky playing clarinet in his clear, entrancing, tones.  Teubal's music is often mesmerizing; one returns to this music to concentrate in the different musicians and their roles in this dramatic musical landscape. To find out more, go to www.emilioteubal.com.

Bassist/composer/arranger Alexis Cuadrado created a splendid program of music for the New York poems of Federico Garcia Lorca. "A Lorca Soundscape" (Sunnyside Records) utilizes the talents of Dan Tepfer (piano), Miguel Zenon (alto saxophone), Mark Ferber (drums) in support of and in tandem with the striking vocal of Claudia Acuna.   Percussionist Gilmar Gomes appears on 2 of the 7 tracks. The lyrics are dark, impressionistic, surrealistic, brooding, political and magical; the music is rhythmic, stark, melodic and, in its own way, magical.  Find out more and listen to the program by going to sunnysidezone.com/album/a-lorca-soundscape.

I'll wrap up my listening year in the next post. In the meantime, go safely and enjoy the Holidays.

Interlude: Holiday Sounds

I so rarely review Holiday CDs but, in a year when there have been so few "mainstream" Christmas albums, several jazz-related releases have crossed the threshold and are well worth your attention.

When you put pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Tim Horner together, the music has a swing, a lightness, a joy than transcends labels and styles.  On "Wonderland" (Playscape Recordings), the trio tackles several Holiday standards, classical pieces, folk music and one very handsome Rosenthal original.  Chances are good you've never heard a more uptempo version of "Angels We Have Heard on High" or a Caribbean-influenced Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Reed Flutes", yet these versions make you smile.  "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is filled with longing while "Sleigh Ride" glides along merrily (the rhythm section swings ever-so-gently).  "Greensleeves" is such a pretty melody and Rosenthal's lush reading of the melody line opens up to a very handsome bass solo, all the while Horner's splendid brush work serves as a gentle breeze beneath his partners. There's quite a swagger to the blues-drenched version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and a joie de vivre to "Let It Snow", the piano gaily dancing atop the prancing rhythm section.

Classy and sassy, "Wonderland" is a treat from start to finish, a pleasing stocking stuffer any time of year.  For more information, go to www.tedrosenthal.com.

Manhattan Brass has been in existence over 2 decades; the quintet now includes R.J. Kelley (horn), Michael Seltzer (trombone), Wayne du Maine (trumpet), David Taylor (bass trombone) and Lew Soloff (trumpet), all of whom appear on "Manhattan Holiday" (self-released).  The album contains standards, classical works, the Mel Torme-penned classic "The Christmas Song" and a pair of Thelonious Monk tunes "A Merrier Christmas" and "Stuffy Turkey" I had never heard before (Monk supposedly never recorded the former piece.) The program features 6 arrangements by Carla Bley, pieces that the Brass recorded in 2008 (when Ann Ellsworth was the horn player) - to fill out the CD, Soloff asked trumpeter Jack Walrath and he responded with 5 more pieces that the ensemble recorded in 2011 (it was he who brought the Monk pieces to the program.) Ms. Bley's recorded her arrangements of Holiday standards, such as "O Tannebaum" and "Joy To The World", with the Partyka Brass Quintet and bassist Steve Swallow for the Watt label.  This CD opens with a New Orleans-infuenced arrangement (by Ms. Bley) of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" - that tune sets the pace for the program, with a touch of blues, a bit of irreverence and and a palpable joy in playing melodies.  One can hear that joy shining through the raucous take on "Little Drummer Dude" (based on "Little Drummer Boy")  - the horns take turns playing the staccato drum part and there is an Ellington-inspired break in the middle.  It's tough not to smile through Walrath's arrangement of Respighi's "Siciliana" which moves in and out of its classical mode to allow for short solos by all involved.

There's much to enjoy on "Manhattan Holiday" with the intelligent arrangements, the global scope of the music and the splendid playing of Manhattan Brass.  By the time you arrive at the lovely rendition of "Joy To The World" (arranged by Ms. Bley), you'll be moved. Any evidence of "Bah Humbug" should dissipate.  For more information, go to manhattanbrass.org.

  Saxophonist Tim Warfield's "Jazzy Christmas"(Undaunted Music) lives up to its name with 9 songs, many of which are traditional or standards - the bonus track, "The Dreidel Song", starts as a typical klezmer tune until the band swings the tune like a spinning top.  What a band!  The rhythm section, comprised of pianists Cyrus Chestnut (6 tracks) or Neil Podgurski (the remaining 4 tracks), Rodney Whitaker (bass), Clarence Penn (drums) and Daniel Sadownick (percussion), delight in these melodies.  The front line includes the leader on tenor and soprano saxophones, Terell Stafford (trumpet) and Stefon Harris (vibraphone) plus vocalists Joanna Pascale (3 tracks) and baritone Jamie Davis (a very fine take of "Oh Christmas Tree").

Highlights include a wonderful take of "Little Drummer Boy"; introduced by Penn's splendid drum solo, the song floats along atop Whitaker's strong bass foundation and features fine solos by Harris, Warfield (soprano), Stafford and Chestnut.  Ms. Pascale leads the band through a high-energy  "Caroling Caroling", her vocal lines shadowed by Stafford and Warfield.  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is hardly restful as Penn and Whitaker push the band to play with fire. One hears a touch of John Coltrane in the waltz arrangement of "Joy To The World" and the leader's angelic soprano sax lines. The rendition of Claude Thornhill's classic "Snowfall", replete with sleigh bells and Penn's poly-rhythmic approach, is, at times, stormy (the interplay of Warfield's soprano with the drummer's fiery rhythms) yet sparkles with its creative interactions.

To find out more about Tim Warfield, go to www.messiah.edu/departments/music/tim_warfield/.

Each one of these CDs had something to offer listeners who enjoy "standards" that are given new and creative treatments.  Now, go give the gift of music!  Enjoy!

Jim Hall Passes + Best of 2013: Large Ensembles

Jim Hall died on Tuesday, seemingly in the prime of his life.  That's an interesting thing to write about an 83 year-old person but he was still quite active as a performer and recording artist.  Best known for his work with drummer Chico Hamilton, saxophonist Sonny Rollins ("The Bridge"), clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre ("The Train and the River", "The Western Suite") and his duos with Ron Carter, Bill Evans and Bob Brookmeyer, Hall influenced a slew of musicians.  He toured and recorded with Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell, recorded many Lps and CDs under his own name for labels such as CTI, Concord, Telarc and, most recently, ArtistShare.  His innate sense of melody shown through every recording and live dates. When one would see him in concert, he did not play loud but, inevitably, the listener hung on every note - he wasted so few.

To get a taste of his recent work, go to jimhallmusic.com/.  He surely will be missed.

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2013 was another banner year for large ensemble recordings. It's extremely hard to pick one above the others.  We'll start with "In This Life", the latest Sunnyside release from flutist/composer Jamie Baum - the music, written for her Septet +, takes its cues from Ms. Baum's journeys to the Middle East and beyond as well as her love for the music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The arrangements are smashing, the musicianship exciting (the group includes trumpeter Amir ElSaffar, saxophonist/bass clarinetist Douglas Yates, guitarist Brad Shepik, pianist John Escreet, bassist Zachary Lober, drummer Jeff Hirschfield, French hornist Chris Komer, plus guests Dan Weiss (tablas), Taylor Haskins (trumpet) and Samuel Torres (percussion) with the results dazzling and emotionally strong.  For more information, go to www.jamiebaum.com.

Guitarist/composer Joel Harrison wisely titled his 2013 Sunnyside release "Infinite Possibility" - he created the 6 compositions for a 19-member ensemble that includes a number of great soloists (saxophonists Donny McCaslin and Ned Rothenberg, trumpeters Taylor Haskins and Justin Mullens plus trombonists Alan Ferber (see below) and Jacob Garchik) and a stellar rhythm section (bassist Kermit Driscoll, pianist Daniel Kelly, percussionist James Shipp and drummer Rob Garcia). With influences of modern classical and progressive rock music rubbing musical elbows with jazz and blues, the music rises out of the speakers with a majestic roar and hushed poetic images.  Mr. Harrison has shown himself to be one of the most creative voices in contemporary music - you can truly hear that on this CD.  For more information, go to joelharrison.com.

The third of 3 excellent Sunnyside releases to feature large ensembles (I never had the opportunity to hear the John Hollenbeck release from earlier in the year) comes from trombonist/composer Alan Ferber. "March Sublime" bristles with energy, blending intelligent compositions with exciting arrangements and splendid soloists.  Powered by the leader's twin  brother Mark on drums, bassist Matt Pavolka, pianist David Cook and guitarist Anthony Wilson,  the songs feature smart solos by the likes of Taylor Haskins, saxophonists John O'Gallagher, Chris Cheek and John Ellis, trombonists Ferber, Josh Roseman and Ryan Keberle plus others.  For more information and the opportunity to hear 2 tracks, go to sunnysidezone.com/album/march-sublime.

In 2012, Wadada Leo Smith issued "10 Freedom Summers", this year "Occupy The World" (TUM Records) with the TUMO Orchestra.  While the music on the former recording celebrates and/or commemorates the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s (and beyond), the music on the latter not only has political overtones but also includes dedications to Marion Brown and bassist John Lindberg.  The 22-member ensemble, comprised of the finest improvisers from Finland and the Nordic region, gives life to Mr. Smith's stunning abstract compositions.  As usual, the trumpeter plays with a clarity and brilliance that stands out above the melodies.

To find out more, go to www.tumrecords.com/037-2-occupy-the-world.  

Most recently, Marty Ehrlich's Large Ensemble is featured on "A Trumpet In The Morning" and it deserves to be on the "Best of" list for this and every year as does "Wild Beauty", a celebration of the music of Joe Lovano as arranged by Gil Goldstein and performed by the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.  I'm saving both for next year.

Next time out, "Best of" trios, quartets, quintets and sextets.

The Magic in Music: Improvisations Series

With the Holiday season having descended upon us, we often lose track of time and events.  In yesterday's posting (here), I mentioned concerts in New Haven and Old Lyme while neglecting the monthly "Improvisations" series at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford.

This month, curators Joe Morris (guitar, bass) and Stephen Haynes (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn) welome Ingrid Laubrock to partake in the musical conversation. The German-born saxophonist (tenor, soprano) who spent several decades in London and now resides in Brooklyn, NY, leads or co-leads several groups, among them Sleepthief (with Liam Noble and Tom Rainey), Anti-House (with Rainey, Mary Halvorson,John Hebert, and Kris Davis), and LARK (with Rainey, Ms. Davis and Ralph Alessi).  She is both a thoughtful and expansive player as well as a composer who writes to the strengths of her collaborators.

No stranger to free improvisation, Ms. Laubrock will make a formidable partner for Messrs. Morris and Haynes.  Their encounter takes place Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m.  For more information, go to www.realartways.org.  To find out more about the saxophonist/composer, go to www.ingridlaubrock.com.