Composer, arranger, educator, Jon Schapiro recorded a second big band album almost two years ago, a follow up to the critically acclaimed New Shoes: Kind of Blue at 60. Thanks to the ongoing pandemic, it is only now that Human Qualities has surfaced on Summit Records. The '17' are the seventeen musicians (all of them top class) contributing to Schapiro's musical vision.
The Schapiro outfit's line-up has remained remarkably consistent, the one change in personnel being Candace DeBartolo replacing Ben Kono in the reeds' section. Eight tracks, all but one composed by Schapiro, were recorded at Sear Sound, NYC. Schapiro's approach is that of a twenty first century composer arranging material to be performed by his peers without losing the connection to the great swing era bands through to Gil Evans' explorations and beyond.
Opening with an affectionate tip of the hat to Count Basie, Count Me Out sets the tone. West Coast cool in the form of A Bounce in Her Step references Charlie Parker's Billie's Bounce and the closing number, House Money, draws upon the New Orleans' second line tradition. The one non-Schapiro composition and the album's sole ballad, is Ewan MacColl's The First Tme Ever I Saw Your Face. An unusual choice, perhaps, but, in the hands of Schapiro, Roberta Flack's chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning recording is transformed into a vehicle for contemporary big band. If big band jazz with a contemporary edge is your thing, Jon Schapiro's latest album should be on your wish list.
Human Qualities by Schapiro 17 is available on Summit Records (cat no. DCD 775). Russell
Schapiro 17: Jon Schapiro (composer, conductor, arranger); Bryan Davis, Andy Gravish, Eddie Allen, Noyes Bartholomew (trumpets); Deborah Weisz, Alex Jeun, Nick Grinder (trombones); Walter Harris (bass trombone); Rob Wilkerson, Candace DeBartolo, Paul Carlon, Rob Middleton, Matt Hong (reeds); Sebastian Noelle (guitar); Roberta Piket (piano); Evan Gregor (bass); Jon Wikan (drums)
No comments :
Post a Comment