Sinne Eeg & The
Danish Radio Big Band, We’ve Just Begun (Stunt/BFM Jazz)

In
addition to presenting Eeg in a robust context, this also showcases one of
Europe’s fine government-supported jazz big bands. The way they support Eeg
throughout is underscored by the ensemble sound on “My Favorite Things.” This
version shifts from a dreamy 5/4 feel to a fiery 4/4 segment, with solos by
tenor saxophonist Frederik Menzies ajnd drummer Søren Frost. Sinne Eeg has been
a jazz star in Scandinavia for two decades. We’re fortunate that she tours
Europe and the U.S. to share her talent with the world at-large.

Imagine
the funk, no-holds-barred New Orleans outfit Bonerama if it were a big band
rather than an outfit with a three-trombone front line. You’d get something
quite like Funk Shui NYC, a 15-piece ensemble with a similar rock party groove.
It is led by baritone saxophonist Dave Morgan and trombonist Rob Susman. The
band digs with enthusiasm into some jazz, funk and rock classics, and five
originals imbued with the same spirit. There’s even a cover of something rarely
heard on a jazz project: the theme from TV’s “Barney Miller” series. Favorite
tracks: Morgan and guitarist Noel Cohen’s “July Groove/September Funk,” George
Harrison’s “Blue Jay Way” and Allen Toussaint’s “Everything I Do Gonna Be
Funky.” The latter title says it all about this fine band.
JC Hopkins Biggish
Band, New York Moment (Twee-Jazz)
This
is a splendid addition to the very rich big-band tradition, one that carries it
into the present. New York-based pianist Hopkins has been swinging in various Big Apple clubs for nearly 20 years, including its current Saturday
night residency at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. This third Biggish Band CD showcases his 11-piece band plus
five singers performing 10 original tunes plus a mid-disc instrumental cover of
Charles Mingus’ “Better Git It in Your Soul” that features alto saxophonist
Julian Pressley. Favorites: the New Orleans shuffle beat-romp through “One of
These Days” and the bluesy closer, “The Children Will Lead Us,” with vocals
from guitarist Alicyn Yaffee. Tenor saxophonist Drew Vandenwinckle wrote most of the
arrangements. Following 2005's Underneath a Brooklyn Moon and 2017's Meet Me at Minton's, this fresh material swings through a variety of contexts –
with one foot firmly tapping in the big band era that inspired it.
Jeff Rupert &
George Garzone, The Ripple (Rupe Media)

Instead, they play pieces from the repertoires of musicians that Prez influenced, including saxophonists Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Harris, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Zoot Sims. Quite fittingly, they included “Lester Left Town,” which then-Jazz Messengers member Shorter wrote right after learning that Prez had died. Three Rupert originals also underscore the ripple effect. They include the high-flying “GO-GO.” The ace rhythm section includes pianist Richard Drexler, bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Marty Morell. Rupert and Garzone blend their individual styles into a compelling tenor summit, capping this exceptional session with an impromptu duet on the standard “Alone Together.”
No comments:
Post a Comment