By Ric Bang
Buy CD: BACHanalia
This
terrific album comes from Bill Cunliffe, one of the finest big band composers
and arrangers in the modern jazz world. The music is performed by some of today’s
best instrumentalists, and the result is a marvelous demonstration of what the
“new” can do with the very “old.”
The
core of this release is based on compositions by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Sergei
Prokofiev and Manuel de Falla. Cunliffe has taken several of their most famous
works, rewritten and arranged them into big band charts, and then gathered the
most disciplined and swinging jazz orchestra that has come down the pike in
years.
Two
dozen artists are involved; the basic unit consisted of 18 performers, although
the sessions were mixed and matched so that each was used on one or more
tracks. Cunliffe conducts and serves as pianist on everything, as does drummer
Joe La Barbara.
The
“classic” tracks include J.S. Bach’s “Sleepers Wake” and “Goldberg Contraption”;
Prokofiev’s
Piano Concerto No. 3, First Movement; C.P.E. Bach’s “Solfeggietto”; and de
Falla’s “The Three-Cornered Hat.”
Cunliffe’s
re-writing and arranging is unbelievably excellent, and his keyboard skills are
marvelous. The orchestral passages, support and instrumental solo work are mind-boggling.
Pay particular attention to La Barbara; he’s a stupendous percussionist. He
hits every emphatic phrase perfectly, has beautiful volume control, and drives
the band like crazy.
The
other charts are equally great. A Cunliffe original (“Afluencia”) is joined by “Blame
It on My Youth,” featuring trumpeter Terell Stafford and guitarist Larry
Koonse; and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” starring
vocalist Denise Donatelli. She also contributes vocalese passages to several of
the other charts; she has a gorgeous voice, hits every note dead-on, and is a
true swinger.
This
fantastic album is a must.
No comments:
Post a Comment