Epiphany

Vince Mendoza | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 11, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zebra Records (Wea)
• ASIN: B00000IFWC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,265 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Like so many of the great composer/arrangers before him, Vince Mendoza is a "musician's musician" - his gifts are particularly apparent to those who pay close, well-educated attention. He also has a keen awareness of soloists who can flourish in a strings setting. "Esperança," from 1997's Epiphany, illustrates the breadth of what can be achieved in this setting. Mendoza manages to interpret the best of his predecessors' styles, adding undeniable twists and proprietary genius to the form. The composition opens with Michael Brecker's tenor sax declaring the melody, as string and horn arrangements roll in. Brecker, guitarist John Abercrombie, and pianist John Taylor take story-telling solos, supported by interwoven and superimposed orchestrations. Here, Mendoza did all of the composing, arranging, and orchestrations with the London Symphony Orchestra. The album's other soloists include Lovano, bassist Marc Johnson, the flugelhorn and trumpet of Kenny Wheeler, and Erskine on drums.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Entertainment Weekly

Epiphany is a gentle wonder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vince Mendoza is a genius!, March 3, 2000

By 

Erik Werkman (Utrecht, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Epiphany (Audio CD)

Eversince his first collaboration with the most versatile drummer Peter Erskine (on "Transition" followed by "Motion Poet", both currently unavailable in the US!), who discovered him, I have been blown away by the equally versatile arranging and composing skills of Vince Mendoza. His ability to create different musical textures sometimes emanates an out-of-this-world-like quality but is always surprisingly effective and has a beauty all its own. This project is another proof of what he is capable of, this time with strings at hand where he normally is more into brass particularly and woodwinds. As always accompanied by both my favorite drummer Peter Erskine and other jazz masters among which Kenny Wheeler this time (check him out, too!), this album is another beautiful example of his work. I would like to take this opportunity also to note that it is unbelievable why the majority of his past releases are currently deleted from the catalogue! There is so much beautiful music to be discovered: "Start Here" on the World Pacific label, "Instructions Inside" on the Manhattan Records label, "Jazzpaña" on ACT Records and his first nameless solo album on the Fun House label, issued by 2Step Records in Germany. No one else is able to mix different musical styles with jazz like Vince Mendoza does!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars symphonic swing, August 1, 2001

By 

Andy Plymale (Richland, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Epiphany (Audio CD)

Vince Mendoza is a prodigiously talented composer and arranger whose melodically inventive compositions caught my attention years ago on the recordings of jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton. On Epiphany, the composer has constructed nine "tone poems" for orchestra and jazz soloists, who include John Abercrombie, Joe Lovano, and Peter Erskine, among others. This recording is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks that jazz is not serious music, or conversely, for anyone of the opinion that highly arranged orchestral music cannot swing. This is breathtakingly beautiful music of the first order.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to be touched by the hidden music of your dreams?,, July 10, 2000

By 

Alejandro (Celaya, Guanajuato Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Epiphany (Audio CD)

There are places you must see, places where you feel your soul belongs.

There are recordings too, which you must listen, and feel.

I'm talking about the awesome CD of the renowed composer VINCE MENDOZA and the London Symphony Orchestra titled "Epiphany", this CD has eight tracks: "an album of beautifully crafted tone poems for Symphony Orchestra and seven jazz soloists".

These jazz soloists are awesome, too: John Abercrombie, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Marc Jonson, Joe Lovano, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler. This isn't a Big Band, it's a living experience with what the music is: a profund human expression.

Want to be touched by the hidden music of your dreams?, just buy this CD and let the magic took place in your soul, in your Herat.

Hay lugares que debes ver, lugares donde sientes que tu alma pertenece.

Hay grabaciones también, que debes escuchar y sentir.

Hablo del sorprendente CD del reconocido compositor VINCE MENDOZA y la Orquesta Sinfónica de Londres titulado "Epiphany", que tiene ocho piezas: "un álbum de ocho poemas bellamente creados para Orquesta Sinfónica y siete solistas de jazz."

Ésos solistas de jazz son sorprendentes también: John Abercrombie, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Marc Jonson, Joe Lovano, John Taylor y Kenny Wheeler. Esta no es una "Big Band", es sólo una experiencia viva de lo que la música es: una expresión profundamente humana.

¿Quieres ser acariciado por la música escurridiza de tus sueños?, sólo consigue este CD y deja que la magia tome el control en tu alma, en tu corazón.