Customer Reviews

New Works Celebration

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For more than forty years, Bob Brookmeyer has been delivering some of the most thoughtful, personal, and finely crafted music to be found in any genre. The fact that jazz is his chosen idiom is a godsend for jazz lovers, but his unique gift - his ability to stretch the limits of an idiom without breaking them - has created legions of devoted admirers throughout the musical world.

The fact that this disk brings us new works for big band by its greatest living exponent is cause enough for celebration. It's all terrific - Brookmeyer's characteristic harmonic language, quirky melodic sense, extraordinary mastery of large formal structures, and matchless technique create a wonderfully satisfying brew. And the performances are wonderful, with particularly fine solo work by Brookmeyer on valve trombone and Scott Robinson on baritone sax (in a suite written for Gerry Mulligan shortly before his death). The ensemble work ranges from elegant to scorching as called for, with the mostly European cast rivaling the very best to be found on this side of the water.

Compared with his work of the late '70's and early '80's, Brookmeyer's world view appears to have lightened somewhat, but not to the point of strain. When Clark Terry and he co-led their wonderful quintet in the 1960's, they were often (only half-jokingly) referred to as "Mumbles and Grumbles," and there's still a decidedly sardonic bent to much of his music. But there's much less bitterness, and taken in sum with his earlier work it marks an expansion of his very personal musical world.

Years ago when I was teaching, I remember referring to Brookmeyer's music as "jazz for grownups." If anything, since that time the gap has widened - there are very few musicians left who posess both the skill and the desire to touch us in such unique and powerful ways. Whether you are a Brookmeyer neophyte or a jaded, fanatical follower, you will find this CD to be a marvel.

This is easily one of the best modern big band recordings I've heard. While very modern sounding and influenced by Brookmeyer's interest in 20th century classical music, nothing's too bombastic and certainly nothing's "new-age." Everything here is pure class.

The first 4 tracks comprise a single composition ("Celebration") that's essentially a suite for baritone sax, originally written for the great Gerry Mulligan. It's performed here by the very talented Scott Robinson, who provides a more modern sound than Mulligan, and who seems inspired throughout. The large, mostly European ensemble provides superb coloring and is much more than a backup for the soloist--more like an equal partner. The composition is complex but well-structured, and remains captivating throughout.

The remaining 4 tracks are also very fine compositions and include plenty of opportunities for Brookmeyer to display his chops on trombone. "Duets," a lengthy track based on a single repeating theme, is a standout.

In short, I'd rate this CD a modern jazz classic. The recording and sound quality are excellent. Brookmeyer is truly one of the great undersung heroes of jazz.