I only received the downloads for this today so, haven't had a chance to listen to it properly - hopefully some hard copy CD/Vinyl will arrive in the post and enable me to add my thoughts to the snippets I've played. Call me old fashioned but I hate downloads!
It's a classy album, how could it not be with Broadbent involved? - his gig with Georgia Mancio at this years GIJF is way up there as my gig of the year. However, when you bring symphony orchestras into the mix... So I'll reserve judgment until I've had a chance to absorb all the beautiful sounds that await. But, as the release date is tomorrow, for the moment, we'll have to make do with the Press Release.
(Press Release)
On June 30, 2017, Eden River Records will release a new album for jazz piano trio and symphony orchestra, “Developing Story”, by Alan Broadbent.
“Developing Story” is a dream come true album for 2-time Grammy winner Alan Broadbent.
Ralf Kemper, a Grammy-winning producer, invited Alan to record his orchestral works at Abbey Road Studios in London. Alan accepted and the recording took place with the London Metropolitan Orchestra, drum legend Peter Erskine and longtime companion Harvie S on bass on November 28th and 29th, 2015.
Alan Broadbent is considered one of the best pianists, composers, arrangers and conductors in the world.
"The gossamer orchestrations by two heavyweights - Johnny Mandel and Alan Broadbent - float like milkweed behind Mr. McCartney's voice." - Review for Sir Paul McCartney's CD -Kisses on the Bottom (Stephen Holden, The New York Times, February 6, 2012).
Alan has received 8 Grammy Award nominations and won 2 Grammy Awards for “Best Orchestral Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal", one for Natalie Cole and one for Shirley Horn and nominated in the same category for Kristin Chenoweth last year (2016). Recently, he was nominated for "Best Improvised Jazz Solo" alongside Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.
Alan has also arranged and conducted for Sir Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Pat Metheny, Linda Ronstadt and Michael Bublé.
This time Alan was able to write his own story by recording his original compositions for jazz piano trio and symphony orchestra, and jazz standards like John Coltrane’s “Naima“ and “Milestones“ by Miles Davis in a symphonic orchestra setting.
Peter Erskine and Harvie S made sure that there was enough room for Alan’s rhapsodic style of piano playing as the LA Times has called Alan “…one of the greatest living jazz pianists.”
Alan, in his liner notes:
“Sometime in the late 70s, the initial idea for “Developing Story” came to me in a complete phrase for woodwind soli, counterpoint and all. My problem was not quite knowing what to do with it. It wrote itself in response to a moment I’d had with the music of Mahler, but to imitate such a master would be the height of hubris (and impossible, anyway). Things slowly took shape when I realized that rather than getting an orchestra to play with jazz feeling (it’ll never happen, I’m afraid), I could present it with a jazz trio version of the idea and perhaps the orchestra could help me out with some nice chords. Then at some point, the orchestra would seem to say, “Yes, we get it. Now let us show you how we might express our thoughts on the matter;” opposite sides of the same music, developing together, creating the story.“
“Developing Story” is Alan’s story, but it can be your story too.
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The London Metropolitan Orchestra is one of the best symphonic orchestras in London and is regularly booked by major Hollywood studios and record companies, including live performances with artists such as Paul McCartney, U2, Eric Clapton, Annie Lennox, Sting, Bryan Adams, Quincy Jones, Pink Floyd, Jon Bon Jovi, Vangelis, Simply Red, Pet Shop Boys etc.
The recording engineer for the production was Jonathan Allen. In 2013 Jonathan won the BAFTA Sound Award for the recording and mixing of the movie "Les Misérables". Further movie projects of his are e.g. Return of the Jedi - Special Edition and Michael Jackson’s “This is It”. He recently also recorded for Gregory Porter and Eliane Elias.
The producer, Ralf Kemper, is himself a Grammy Prize winner in 2010 for Best Instrumental Record and Best Producer Of The Year at the Latin Grammys for Arturo Sandoval’s “A Time For Love". His film “Jimmy Scott: I Go Back Home“ was premiered at the prestigious SXSW festival, was introduced by Quincy Jones at the 50th Montreux Jazz Festival and has won several awards at international film festivals.
Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. DEVELOPING STORY (movement 1) 9:49 – Alan Broadbent
2. DEVELOPING STORY (movement 2) 7:12 – Alan Broadbent
SIDE B
1. DEVELOPING STORY (movement 3) 9:19 – Alan Broadbent
2. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW 6:36 – Tadd Dameron
SIDE C
1. NAIMA 8:26 – John Coltrane
2. BLUE IN GREEN 8:06 – Miles Davis
SIDE D
1. LADY IN THE LAKE 4:35 – Alan Broadbent
2. MILESTONES 5:02 – Miles Davis
3. CHILDREN OF LIMA 6:23 – Alan Broadbent
Alan Broadbent – piano, composing, arranging, conducting
Peter Erskine – drums
Harvie S – bass
London Metropolitan Orchestra – Symphony Orchestra
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