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Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble: Atwood Suites

By Jerome Wilson
September 16, 2018
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Andrew Rathbun

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Rathbun is a Canadian saxophonist who has made a major musical statement here with this collection of suites, two of which are based on the poetry of author Margaret Atwood. Rathbun's writing shows the influence of another Canadian,

Kenny Wheeler

flugelhorn
1930 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wheeler, in its lush sonority, the frequent gorgeous flugelhorn solos by

Tim Hagans

trumpet
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Hagans and the role of

Luciana Souza

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Luciana Souza, who both sings Atwood's poetry with gentle forcefulness and moans wordlessly within the orchestral ensembles, the same way Wheeler often utilized

Norma Winstone

vocals
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Norma Winstone.

"Two Islands" begins with Souza singing simply over

Jeremy Siskind

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Siskind's piano. Then the entire ensemble comes in with a controlled turbulence propelled by

Bill Stewart

drums
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Stewart's drumming and a beautiful, warm solo by Hagans whose flugelhorn is really featured within the darker, more somber sound of Part II. In Part III Stewart breaks down his drum beats like

Joe Morello

drums
1928 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Morello leading into soaring ensemble music with the rich fullness of

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans. Souza sings brightly, Hagans does his thing again and saxophonist

Quinsin Nachoff

saxophone
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Quinsin Nachoff takes a hard swinging tenor solo.

"Power Politics" begins with Souza and Siskind again starkly declaiming Atwood's words before the horns weave in. Hagans makes another strong, flowing statement and Souza's voice becomes a wordless instrument melting into the massed surge of the ensemble. Siskind's piano starts Part II with a dark, agitated bounce that leads into a tempestuous tug of war between the reeds and brass before Souza's voice spreads over everything like a cooling balm. There are also strong solo statements by Hagans, trombonist

Mike Fahie

trombone
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Fahie and tenor player

Dan Pratt

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Pratt here. Part III is an extended slow-rolling climax underpinned by funky vamping from Stewart with massive group harmonies and a brawny, rippling alto solo from

John O'Gallagher

saxophone, alto
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">John O'Gallagher.

That is the meat of the set but there is a second CD with additional music. "Fractured" is a commentary on our current political situation with staccato horns and a stomping jazz-rock beat.

Aubrey Johnson

vocals
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Aubrey Johnson handles the wordless vocalizing this time and Siskind's electric piano and

Nate Radley

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Radley's burrowing guitar do an extended bit of jamming. There are also three movements from yet another, untitled suite full of wide, ambient harmonies, wary guitar and careful Bach-like progressions that bounce between piano, voice and the entire ensemble.

Andrew Rathbun is another contributor to that lineage of rich, impressionistic orchestral jazz that includes figures like Gil Evans,

Bob Brookmeyer

trombone
1929 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Brookmeyer,

Maria Schneider

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Schneider and

Jim McNeely

composer / conductor
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim McNeely. He writes warm, intriguing melodies and can create powerful backgrounds for soloists. The ones he has here, especially Souza, Hagans and Stewart, are all excellent. This has been an exceptional year for large ensemble jazz recordings and this is one of the best.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Two Islands I; Two Islands II; Two Islands III; Power Politics I; Power Politics II; Power Politics III; Fractured; V; I; II.

Personnel

Andrew Rathbun

saxophone, tenor

John O'Gallagher

saxophone, alto

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor

Quinsin Nachoff

saxophone

Dan Pratt

saxophone

Carl Maraghi

saxophone, baritone

Tim Hagans

trumpet

Bill Stewart

drums

Dave Ambrosio

bass

Nate Radley

guitar

Jeremy Siskind

piano

Russ Johnson

trumpet

Alan Ferber

trombone

Mike Fahie

trombone

Seneca Black

trumpet

Luciana Souza

vocals

Aubrey Johnson

vocals

JC Sanford

trombone

Matt Holman

trumpet

Dave Smith: trumpet, flugelhorn; Chris Olness: bass trombone; Owen Howard: drums (1, 2 on disc 2).

Album information

Title: Atwood Suites | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Origin Records

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