Album review: Nick Finzer - The Jazz Orchestra Volume 1 (On the Outside)

Nick Finzer (MD, arr. trombone); Michael Thomas, Jordan Pettay (alto sax); Lucas Pino, Evan Harris (tenor sax); Tony Lustig (baritone Sax); Augie Haas, Anthony Hervey, Nadje Noordhuis, Chloe Rowlands (trumpets); Rob Edwards, James Burton III, Sara Jacovino, Altin Sencalar (trombones); Alex Wintz (guitar); Glenn Zaleski (piano); Dave Baron (bass); Jimmy Macbride (drums)

An interesting, and at times, exciting big band led by one of New York's top trombonists and creative arrangers - Nick Finzer. The arrangements are thoughtful and contemporary leaning more towards Gil Evans or George Russell rather than Clarke/Boland or Jones/Lewis.

Needless to say Finzer's trombone solos are in abundance and any sliders listening will be impressed, not just by his technical ability which, by the way is awesome, but by the beauty of his sound. A cool, dry, purity that still maintains a jazz feel. J.J. Johnson had it and so does Finzer. His affinity to Johnson has been well documented musically on a quartet album entitled Legacy and here, most noticeably on Johnson's Lament.

When a jazz musician starts his never ending journey the natural way is to absorb the past and bring it into the future then make it your own. Finzer has done that and he will, no doubt continue to grow both as a player, a composer and an arranger.

Of course one soloist doesn't make a big band and there are impressive solos by alto saxist Pettay on Say When; Hervey's trumpet on The Guru whilst Dave Baron and Macbride share solos with Finzer on Lament. 

We the People has a trumpet solo from Chloe Rowlands that sounds so mellow it could have been a flugelhorn - maybe it was! The same track unleashes Pino on tenor, Wintz on guitar and some fancy stickwork from Macbride. More trumpet on Again and Again, this time from Nadje Noordhuis There's piano from Zaleski and Macbride, as ever, impresses. 

Just Passed the Horizon sees James Burton lll step out from  Maestro Finzer's shadow, his 'bone solo demonstrating the diversity of tone available by different players of the same instrument - Burton lll's an earthier sound. We also hear Lustig on bari, Wintz on guitar and Finzer before the track and the album draw to a close with a free-for-all blast that will get the neighbours knocking on your apartment wall!

It's not an album where you roll back the carpet and do the Lindy Hop rather one where you sit back and relax and wallow in the subtleties that only an imaginative arranger can dream up. And, talking of dreams, the aforementioned blast will keep you wide awake! Lance

Release date: Friday August 22.

Say When; The Guru; Lament; We the People; Again and Again; Just Passed the Horizon