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Derek Brown: All Figured Out

By Jerome Wilson
March 7, 2021
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Tenor player

Derek Brown

saxophone, tenor
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Derek Brown has made a name for himself with a concept called "BEATBoX SAX," a method of playing saxophone in a continuous stream of pops, honks, melody and slap-tonguing that comes out like a hip-hop variation on

Boots Randolph

" data-original-title="" title="">Boots Randolph's old novelty tune. "Yakety Sax." He has put several videos on YouTube of him doing this solo, but on this recording, he shows he is far more than a novelty act. He uses his technique in large ensemble compositions that he performs with the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra and groups from his alma mater, Michigan's Hope College. These pieces encompass a large variety of musical concepts and show the ambitious scope of his work.

The ensemble parts are full of joyous big band shouts and Brown's lead lines still do the beatbox clicking and popping but there are also interlocking and repeating orchestral lines which show he knows all about the work of

Steve Reich

composer / conductor
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Reich and

Philip Glass

composer / conductor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Philip Glass. This shows up in the group backgrounds on "A Simple Gesture" and throughout the rhythms on "Human Error" which play underneath Brown's scorching tenor solos and Lee Heerspink's incendiary electric guitar. A string quartet mixes with the orchestra on "The Pursuit," creating a large, fast-moving Midwestern landscape which sounds like

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny's orchestral work. Brown and

caleb elzinga

saxophone, tenor
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">caleb elzinga go on a soulful two tenor binge here, cackling and honking like

King Curtis

saxophone
1934 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">King Curtis and leading the entire orchestra into a wavy soul vibe.

There is a religious feel to "Vantage Point." The horns echo and ping pong in the beginning, before a gospel spirit emerges in Brown's tenor which is then amplified by handclaps and

Clif Metcalf

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Clif Metcalf's organ. The leader even writes a catchy pop song in "All Figured Out" which he sings over an elastic reggae beat carried by organ, piano and rhythm section. "The Good Fight" is a grand cinematic climax to the session, bringing in waves of saxophones, choppy beats, repetitions, fanfares and even a brief section of Brazilian drumming. On this track as on all the rest, Brown's sax playing is the keystone, warm and luscious, his sound powering emotionally over all the instrumental color and giving this music heart.

Derek Brown is a lot more than a guy who can stutter step through a saxophone solo. He is an impressive artist who can write and perform ferocious, uplifting music for large jazz groups which blends formal complexity with soul. He deserves a lot of attention.

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Track Listing

Prelude; Human Error; Again; A Simple Gesture; Vantage Point; All Figured Out; The Pursuit; Hoping for the Best; The Good Fight.

Personnel

Derek Brown

saxophone, tenor

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

The Hope College Jazz Arts Collective

band / ensemble / orchestra

Hope College Brazilian Drumming Ensemble

band / ensemble / orchestra

Anna Janowski

violin

Lian Robinson

violin

Abigail Finnegan

viola

Elizabeth Bachwich

cello

Additional Instrumentation

Anna Janowski, Lian Robinson, Abigail Finnegan, Elizabeth Bachwich (1, 7); The Hope College Jazz Arts Collective (9); Brazilian Drumming Ensemble (9).

Album information

Title: All Figured Out | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Self Produced

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