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CNY JAZZ ORCHESTRA
CNY JAZZ ORCHESTRA/Then, Now and Again: There was a time when jazz orchestras were trying to be commercially viable and it made them sound corny. This crew proves there is still a place for jazz orchestras, even if the economics of the road etc are against them and that they aren’t corny if they follow their muse and stick to their art. Sounding very much like something could have been found in Marty Paich or Henry Mancini’s forgotten notebooks, there’s a whole bunch of big, bold cool going on here. With a strong vibe of 50s jazz into classic cats like Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein spiritually hovering over this set, it’s a mighty, uptown jazz date that will never be confused with background music. A wonderful set throughout.
102
GO MEDIA
HAMILTON deHOLANDA & ANDRE MEHMARI/Continuous Friendship: As much as we all love samba, there is some new, incredible music coming out of Brazil and this is a taste of same from two of the top new players. DeHolanda has been releasing a steady stream of mandolin dates that have more than captured world turned ears. This duet set launches a new to our ears piano whiz and the two of them playing together really make the sparks fly. A simply sumptuous date that goes beyond “just” being Brazilian music. Killer stuff that will open your ears in grand style.
1043 (Adventure Music)
HALFNOTE
CONRAD HERWIG/Latin Side of Wayne Shorter: Certainly working out a special niche in making Latinization of jazz icons look simple, trombone man Herwig turns his gaze to the compositions of Wayne Shorter for his third attempt at the genre he’s creating. Becoming a New York jazz mainstay by way of New York, Herwig knows how to blow up a storm and he knows how to lead the troops into a most righteous battle. Showcasing composition over iconography for this outing, this set focuses on young Shorter topping out with his work through the late 60’s. Covering fertile and musical works, this interpretation will be a high spot for jazzbos of several stripes. Way more than a mere look back.
4535
JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
GARY MORGAN & PanAmerican/Felicidade: Gringos tend to think of Brazilian music as quiet but Morgan wanted to shake things up and his 20 piece jazz orchestra delivers the goods. A delightfully high octane set that features Morgan originals as well as Brazilian tunes that turn his ear, this is a sprightly set that covers a wide range of Brazilian sounds from across the country and serves them all up in fine and unique style. A welcome breeze for your world beat/jazz ears.
1014 (CAP)
TWO FOR THE SHOW MEDIA
TIM HAGANS/Alone Together: All you can do with a set like this is send up the jazzbo alert that a can’t miss date is at hand. With the trumpet player enlisting a crew of Marc Copland, Drew Gress and Jochen Ruckert, these cats might not have the power of the machine that a crew like this would have had behind them in the old days but it certainly doesn’t take anything away from their legends in the making. A solidly hip set that focuses on Copland’s pen as well as some smart covers, this is a hip set that hits hard and makes a wonderful impression that jazzbos can’t ignore. Hot stuff.
3030 (Pirouet)
Volume 31/Number 213
May 31, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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