Jazzrook
I think that 2016 is shaping up to be one of the truly great years for terrific jazz records and feel compelled to give you the heads up on the new record by alto saxophonist Greg Ward called "Touch my beloved thoughts. " Hope you don't mind the recommendation. Although this live recording is released through the auspices of Dave Douglas' "Greenleaf " label, the ten piece band is a Chicago aggregation including the likes of Jason Roebke and Keefe Jackson (on his best behavior.)
Whilst the suite is an original commission, the inspiration is Charlie Mingus' epic "Black saint and the sinner lady." Some of the motif's from this classic album do crop up in this work but, for the most part, the music is a reimagining of the kind of large ensemble Mingus would put together albeit some times the harmonies and ideas are more akin to today's jazz. Some of the odd meters would also have been alien to Mingus. However, it is fair to say that this record is pretty unlike so much contemporary jazz and there is a robustness about the writing which is hugely welcome. Whilst by no means a slavish copy, Ward has totally grasped Mingus' ethos and come up with an absolutely cracking record. All the soloists shine (especially the pianist) yet , for me, the band is the star as it plays with the kind of gusto and swing that has almost become a lost art. Must admit that hearing a contemporary soloist like Ward sounding like Johnny Hodges is an added appeal.
It is strange that, getting in to jazz in the 1980s; Mingus was very much a touchstone along with Miles and Coltrane. These days the kind of heart on the sleeve jazz espoused by Charlie Mingus seems, regrettably, deeply out of fashion although the Mingus big band still remains perhaps the most exciting big band I have heard live. Ward's offering therefore not only seems well-overdue in addressing the balance as to what jazz can actually sound like but also a further reminder that the current Chicago scene is easily the most vibrant one in the second decade of the 21st century. I love the fact that you can take a punt on so many musicians from this city without knowing a great deal about them and consistently come up trumps. Even more than the brilliant "Row and rows", this is a record that meets the Jazzrook standards and very likely to Bluesnik's tastes too.
There is a new Jason Roebke octet disc due out shortly too.
I think that 2016 is shaping up to be one of the truly great years for terrific jazz records and feel compelled to give you the heads up on the new record by alto saxophonist Greg Ward called "Touch my beloved thoughts. " Hope you don't mind the recommendation. Although this live recording is released through the auspices of Dave Douglas' "Greenleaf " label, the ten piece band is a Chicago aggregation including the likes of Jason Roebke and Keefe Jackson (on his best behavior.)
Whilst the suite is an original commission, the inspiration is Charlie Mingus' epic "Black saint and the sinner lady." Some of the motif's from this classic album do crop up in this work but, for the most part, the music is a reimagining of the kind of large ensemble Mingus would put together albeit some times the harmonies and ideas are more akin to today's jazz. Some of the odd meters would also have been alien to Mingus. However, it is fair to say that this record is pretty unlike so much contemporary jazz and there is a robustness about the writing which is hugely welcome. Whilst by no means a slavish copy, Ward has totally grasped Mingus' ethos and come up with an absolutely cracking record. All the soloists shine (especially the pianist) yet , for me, the band is the star as it plays with the kind of gusto and swing that has almost become a lost art. Must admit that hearing a contemporary soloist like Ward sounding like Johnny Hodges is an added appeal.
It is strange that, getting in to jazz in the 1980s; Mingus was very much a touchstone along with Miles and Coltrane. These days the kind of heart on the sleeve jazz espoused by Charlie Mingus seems, regrettably, deeply out of fashion although the Mingus big band still remains perhaps the most exciting big band I have heard live. Ward's offering therefore not only seems well-overdue in addressing the balance as to what jazz can actually sound like but also a further reminder that the current Chicago scene is easily the most vibrant one in the second decade of the 21st century. I love the fact that you can take a punt on so many musicians from this city without knowing a great deal about them and consistently come up trumps. Even more than the brilliant "Row and rows", this is a record that meets the Jazzrook standards and very likely to Bluesnik's tastes too.
There is a new Jason Roebke octet disc due out shortly too.
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