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":

Moving With the Times

 

I have been impressed with the music and the saxophone playing of Alex LoRe since 2014 when his debut album, "Dream House", was issued on Greg Osby's Inner Circle Music label. When Allen Mednard replaced Colin Stranahan at the drum set for 2019's "Karol" (issued on Challenge Records), the quartet (also featuring pianist Glenn Zaleski and bassist Desmond White) became known as Alex LoRe & Weirdear.  The alto saxophonist and composer, originally from Tarpon Springs, Florida, graduated from the New England Conservatory and earned a Master's Degree from the Manhattan School of Music.  Currently, he's a member of pianist Maria Sanchez's Quintet and has played with Lucas Pino's No Net Nonet. LoRe has also authored two instruction books, the latest being  "The Goldberg Variations for Saxophone Duets, Trios, & Quartets".  During the Pandemic, he upload numerous videos of how he was working on playing JS Bach that are fascinating to watch and listen to.

One can hear a classical influence on several pieces that appear on "Evening Will Find Itself", LoRe's fourth album as a leader and his first for Whirlwind Recordings. Pieces such as "Underground and Back" plus "Silent Ship" feature melody lines that have solid structure and melodic flow. The former track has a formality that loosens as the soloists (bass, piano, and alto sax) push the piece out. Great bow work from bassist Desmond White.  The 10-song program features the same band as "Karol" and they work together like a fine-oiled machine (without ever sounding uninspired). "Stripes" opens the album with an opening melody over the rubato rhythm section. The piece opens for an exciting alto sax solo and a splendid turn from Zaleski.  White and Mednard really push the music forward without disappearing into chaos.  The following track, "Face Unseen" is softer, moving on the gentle brush work and counterpoint of the bass.  Note how LoRe's alto moves easily into the higher register of his horn where. at times, it sounds like a soprano sax. 

"Green" pays tribute to one of the saxophonist's most important teachers, Bunky Green.  Here, the rampaging rhythms push LoRe to display not only his technical prowess but the genuine lyricism that his teacher possessed throughout his career. Mednard's interactions with both the saxophonist and Zaleski during their solos is a delight (do watch the video below to see how the drummer responds in the studio).  

There are three shorter (under three minutes) that carry the title "Radiance".  They make up half of the final six tracks. Despite their relative brevity, each one contains a complete statement and improvisations.  "I" stands out for the piano/sax interactions while "II" features Zaleski pushing the proceedings, an introductory solo from Mednard, and then LoRe enters by playing his own take with variations on the piano theme.  "III" closes the album; slower, the saxophone theme is a variation on "I" and "II" that drops away for a bass solo over a funky drum pattern.  The piano reenters to comp through the end of the bass solo that leads to LoRe's restatement of the theme.  

The music on "Evening Will Find Itself" doesn't just jump right out at you but beckons the listener to enter the proceedings and surrender to the sounds.  Alex LoRe sounds fully in control and his original material is the richest of his still-growing career.  The musicians of Weirdear shine brightly as partners––not just a back-up group–– in this endeavor.  It will be interesting to hear how these songs expand and develop as the quartet tours this year. In the meantime, take a close, deep, listen as the rewards are plentiful.

For more information, go to https://alexlore.com/.  To hear more and purchase the album, go to  https://alexlore-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/evening-will-find-itself. 

Here's a taste of "Fauxlosophy":

Watch Weirdear in the studio: