CD Review: Mike Gibbs + Twelve Play Gil Evans

Mike Gibbs (composer, arranger & conductor), Finn Peters (alto saxophone & flute), Julian Siegel (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Lluis Mather (tenor & soprano saxophones, clarinet), Percy Pursglove (trumpet & flugelhorn), Robbie Robson (trumpet & flugelhorn), Joe Auckland (trumpet & flugelhorn), Mark Nightingale (trombone), Sarah Williams (bass trombone & tuba), Jim Rattigan (French horn), Hans Koller (piano), Michael Janisch (double bass) & Jeff Williams (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Mike Gibbs’ new CD commemorates the centenary of the birth of arranger/composer Gil Evans. The project, instigated by Gibbs and pianist Hans Koller, secured enthusiastic support from musician and Whirlwind Recordings label boss Michael Janisch.

Twelve of the finest musicians working on the British jazz scene were recruited to play a couple of gigs in London and then go into the studio for a day to document Gibbs’ labour of love. Ten tracks comprising of arrangements by Evans and Gibbs illustrate the fine art of the composer/arranger. Arrangements for the ensemble are typical Gil Evans; layered brass, a spotlight for the soloist (brass or reeds). Gibbs’ arrangements complement the American master’s approach, producing a cohesive narrative to Play Gil Evans.

The opening Bilbao Song (comp. Kurt Weill/arr. Evans) is a down beat affair. Evans’ Las Vegas Tango struts the boards, lifting the mood with magnificent solo contributions from Mark Nightingale (trombone) and Julian Siegel (tenor) framed by biting section work from the trumpets of Percy Pursglove, Robbie Robson and Joe Auckland.

Gibbs’ arrangement of Carla Bley’s distinctive Ida Lupino, re-points the tune, mindful to retain its allure. The rhythm section comes into its own on Sister Sadie (arr. Evans). A witty re-working of the Horace Silver standard swings effortlessly in the capable hands of Koller, bassist Janisch and ace American drummer Jeff Williams. Ornette Coleman’s Ramblin’ (arr. Gibbs) reminds the listener of the composer’s mainstream jazz roots and Gibbs’ arrangement underscores the tunes’ blues undercurrent heard to great effect in Finn Peters’ alto work. Evans’ playful arrangement of St Louis Blues features more from Peters, Janisch excels, as does the ensemble marshalled by the consistently excellent Williams. Evans’ treatment of Rodgers and Hart’s Wait till You See Her closes the CD in much the same way as the opening track - on a satisfying down beat note.

Mike Gibbs + Twelve will launch the album at Kings Place, London in October at the inaugural Whirlwind Recordings Festival. Play Gil Evans, engineered and edited by Alex Bonney and produced by Gibbs, Koller, Janisch and Bonney, is released August 12 on Whirlwind Recordings WR4639.                           

Russell.