In The Presence of Creativity, Beauty, and Joy

(By way of apology, read on.) Christopher Zuar, composer and arranger, released his second album as a leader, "Exuberance" (Tonal Conversations) in May of this year. At the time, I had been listening to the music for a month while recuperating from the first of two fractures.  With everything piling up (including student Final Papers), the album kept getting shunted aside. Yet, I kept returning to the music, especially in the quiet morning hours where the only other sounds one hears is the songs of various birds.  Now is my chance to tell you this album is one of the best of this year!

First off, who is Christopher Zuar? A native of Long Island, NY, Zuar has been composing since his youth, winning numerous awards. He did his undergraduate work at the New England Conservatory and earned his Masters of Music degree at the Manhattan school of Music. Along the way, he has studied with Jim McNeely, Maria Schneider, and Mike Holober and had his works performed by the WDR Big Band, the Danish Radio Big Band, and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. He has arranged for artists such as Miho Hazama (a great arranger in her own right), Joel Ross, Theo Bleckmann, and more.  His debut recording, "Musings", was issued in 2016 by Sunnyside Records to great critical acclaim. In his music, one can hear traces of the influences of his mentors but also of the 20th Century classical composers he listened to as well as more "popular music" artists.

The initial sessions for "Exuberance" took place in August of 2018 but due to numerous complications and the pandemic, did re-commence until three years later (August '21).  The project is a partnership with animation filmmaker Annie Beal (they were married in 2022) when both had fellowships to the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire (go to https://vimeo.com/260899301 to see them at work). By then, they had created Tonal Conversations, an outlet for their creativity. The album is filled with brilliant musical conversations throughout played by an incredible 18-member band (see "personnel" below), many of them who have worked with each other on large ensemble projects. Guests include violinist Sara Caswell who has also shown up on numerous jazz and classical albums over the past few years. Conductor Mike Holober, who had produced Zuar's 2016 album, led the band for the recording sessions.

Photo: Maria Baranova

This music is quite melodic. The horn and brass sections often push the melodies forward –– they also often set the tone and mood of the music. The opening track, "In Winter Bloom", opens with with a static piano figure before the sections set the piece in motion. Their choruses set the the stage for solos from bassist Drew Gress and tenor saxophonist Jason Rigby.  Listen below to "Communion", how the flutes and piccolos riuse aboe the horns to set the stage for Ms. Caswell's playing of the theme. Pianist Glenn Zaleski plays a second theme before the brass and flutes carry it forward, again opening the path for the piano solo. The violin solo that follows kicks the piece into the stratosphere as Gress and drummer Mark Ferber create a powerful thunderstorm. 

Photo: Maria Baranova

One of the best aspects of this seven-song, 59-minute, program is that each song stands out on its own and as part of the overarching theme. "Simple Machines"  blends the sound of Appalachian bluegrass with big band swing with Ben Kono creating a powerful tenor sax solo over a funky beat followed several minutes by a short fiddle hoedown (shades of Aaron Copland). That leads into a delightful mandolin spot from guest Joe Brent followed by a rollicking solo from Ms. Caswell.  The episodic "Before Dawn" opens with a thunderstorm but, as the "day" breaks, the music becomes more tranquil. Guitarist Pete McCann creates a long, flowing, solo over the rhythm section until the horns and brass enter which then kicks his sound and attack into overdrive with drummer Ferber with him all the way through. One hears the storm fading as ther song closes.

Vocalist Emma Frank joins the Orchestra for the final track, the song that gives the album its title.  The delightful love songs, lyrics by Ms. Beal, talks about how we all need to be nice, even as storms swirl around us as well as inside us. Ms. Frank flows along with the melody with the brass in unison behind her. The ensemble kicks into a higher gear for a hard-hitting alto sax solo courtesy of Dave Pietro followed by a fascinating trumpet spot from Scott Wendholt that actually starts on the powerful side, stays there for several minutes then slows down to reintroduce Ms. Frank to sing "Will you dance with me?/ Will you guide through the crowded floor?/ I will dance with you".  The piece rides out on a wordless vocal over the whispering ensemble, a gentle finish to a splendid piece of music and entire album. 

Exuberance is defined as "the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness". "Exuberance", the album from the Christopher Zuar Orchestra, is all that and much more, downright joyous.  Christopher Zuar is becoming one of the finest composers and arrangers of this time and the future bodes ever-so-well!

For more information, go to www.christopherzuar.com/. To learn more about what Ms. Beal and Mr. Zuar are creating, go to www.tonalconversations.com/.  To hear more and to purchase the album, go to  https://christopherzuar.bandcamp.com/album/exuberance. 

Personnel:

Dave Pietro - Alto/Soprano Saxophone, Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute

Charles Pillow - Alto/Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe
Jason Rigby - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Ben Kono - Tenor/Alto Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet
Carl Maraghi - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Tony Kadleck - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jon Owens - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Scott Wendholt - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Matt Holman - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Matt McDonald - Trombone
Mark Patterson - Trombone
Alan Ferber - Trombone
Max Seigel - Bass Trombone
Pete McCann - Electric/Nylon String Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro
Glenn Zaleski - Piano, Fender Rhodes
Drew Gress - Bass
Mark Ferber - Drums
Rogerio Boccato - Percussion
Mike Holober - Conductor

Featuring:
Sara Caswell - Violin ("Communion" & "Simple Machines")
Max ZT - Hammered Dulcimer ("Simple Machines")
Joe Brent - Mandolin ("Simple Machines")
Keita Ogawa - Percussion ("Simple Machines")
Emma Frank - Voice ("Exuberance")

Listen here to "Communion":