CD Review: Gerard Presencer & the Danish Radio Big Band – Groove Travels

(Review by Russell)

Groove Travels is Gerard Presencer’s first big band album. The third of his three solo recording projects dates from 2001. An academic career and touring world wide with a number of Charlie Watts’ jazz ensembles has more than occupied the British trumpeter. Relocating to Copenhagen to work with the acclaimed Danish Radio Big Band opens a new chapter.

This Edition Records’ release comprises eight tracks (all arranged by Presencer, five of them composed by the trumpeter and three others of ‘classic’ status) recorded by Lars C Bruun at Danish Radio Studios in January 2015. Presencer has a nineteen piece band to work with plus two guest musicians – American Adam Rapa recruited as lead trumpeter and Cuban percussionist Eliel Lazo – making for a mammoth exercise. Presencer has an ace up his sleeve in having worked with the musicians for several years. Another Weirdo opens Groove Travels. We’ve all been there – sitting quietly on the bus, or in Presencer’s case, the train, minding one’s own business when the weirdo gets on and sits down in the one available seat…the one next to you. GP takes a flugel solo on this one, trumpet is his secondary instrument on this recording. The tune is a ‘groove’ vehicle, a common theme across the album. The rhythm section is given due prominence throughout, bassist Kaspar Vadsholt’s electric excursions to the fore, as is the smart drumming of Søren Frost and an eclectic mix of Fender Rhodes, Hammond and synths courtesy of Henrik Gunde.

Groove Travels references time and place; Eleanor Rigby (GP: This melody has always captured my imagination), Blues for Des (GP: This is essentially a West African rhythm …something trumpeter Woody Shaw would play), Wayne Shorter’s Footprints features tenor saxophonist Hans Ulrik, Presencer inspired by American tv cop shows and an Afro- Cuban groove in a reharmonisation of the tune. The Devil’s Larder is an exercise in the ‘shameless excess’ sometimes evident in progressive rock and the jazz big band. Gerard Presencer states: I wrote this piece for the drummer in my small band Chris Dagley. The dubious prospect of melding rock with jazz is quickly dispelled. What makes it work is the writing and playing. Presencer is well aware he has got a great band at his disposal.

Groove Travels by Gerard Presencer & the Danish Radio Big Band on Edition Records is released on January 29, available on CD EDN 1065 and LP EDN 1065.

Gerard Presencer: This recording is dedicated to the grooving memory of Chris Dagley.           

Russell.

Gerard Presencer (trumpet & flugelhorn) & 

Danish Radio Big Band: 

Trumpets Michael Mølhede, Christer Gustafsson, Thomas Kjaergaard, Jens Chr. Gotholdt. 

Trombones Vincent Nilsson, Steen Hansen, Anders Larson, Ola Nordquist.

Tuba & bass trombone André Jensen. 

Saxophones Nicolai Schultz, Peter Fuglsang, Pelle Fridell, Hans Ulrik Jensen, Karl-Martin Almqvist, Anders Gaardmand. 

Guitar Per Gade. 

Double bass & electric bass Kaspar Vadsholt. 

Drums Søren Frost.

Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ & synths Henrik Gunde. 

Special guests lead trumpet Adam Rapa; percussion Eliel Lazo.