Album review: The 14 Jazz Orchestra - Islands

A cracking big band album recorded remotely and sounding as good as, maybe even better than, if they'd all been in the same room. Did all this chicanery begin with lockdown  or did Covid just escalate the practice? I mean why pay a musician to fly down from New York when you can email him/her a chart and get them to blow a few notes into their phone? 

I know I'm oversimplifying things but, nevertheless, if the end justifies the means then so be it (I think).

The 14 Jazz Orchestra is led by composer and arranger Dan Bonsanti  who, along with pianist Mike Levine, arranged several compositions by modern masters in what the blurb describes as 'swinging, contemporary jazz arrangements'. Levine was also responsible for the digital alchemy that produced the end product as well as composing several numbers including the cleverly titled Part of Me.

Irrespective of the means (I'm still undecided about the morality of tape-splicing) nothing can detract from the quality of the recording or the solos.

Ed Calle (tenor sax/soprano sax); Ed Maina (flute/alto sax); Mike Brignola (bass clarinet) and John Lovell (flugelhorn) are just some of the big-hitters along with 'special guests' Mike Mainieri (vibes) and Dave Liebman (soprano sax) who make cameo appearances.

I haven't listed the personnel as it is somewhat complicated. However, details, and more, can be found HERE. Lance

Available online from July 21.

Man From Tanganyika; Islands; Bud Powell; Part of Me; Carmencita; Missouri Uncompromised; Jitterbug Waltz; Jaco; Some Other Time;Loft Dance; When She Loved Me