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Greg Diaz & The Art of Imagination Jazz Orchestra: Begin the Agora

By Jack Bowers
October 17, 2018
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At a time when many contemporary big bands are eager to brush aside the past and "break new ground," it's always a pleasure to welcome an ensemble that honors and espouses jazz tradition with no appreciable loss of savoir-faire or, well, imagination. Begin the Agora, the debut recording by saxophonist

Greg Diaz

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Diaz 's Florida-based Art of Imagination Orchestra, embraces a customary point of view that in no way encumbers the leader's resourceful compositions (three) and arrangements (all). In other words, this is big-band jazz that swings like its forbears while at the same time nurturing an astute intellectual temperament.

The swing component rushes to the fore straightaway on guitarist

Kevin Eubanks

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Eubanks' "The Navigator," whose engaging melody is underscored by muscular ensemble work and bright solos by guitarist

Christian Davis

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Davis, pianist

Eero Turunen

" data-original-title="" title="">Eero Turunen and Diaz, on tenor sax. The brass are prominent on Diaz's waltz-like "Circadia," prefacing earnest statements by Davis and Diaz, before the ensemble takes a sharp turn southward toward New Orleans with a charming medley of "Brother John," "Second Line Strut" and "Iko Iko," on which Diaz sings, after a fashion, with unnamed backup support while Davis, Turunen, tenor

Scott Klarman

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Klarman, alto

Ismael Vergara

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Ismael Vergara, trumpet

Doug Michels

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug Michels and baritone

Mike Brignola

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Brignola parcel out the solo space, Crescent City-style.

Diaz's "Frank Blank," dedicated to Frank Perrotta, is another flag-waver in the Basie / Herman manner, on which trumpeters Seth Merlin and

Kevin Wilder

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Wilder , trombonist

Russell freeland

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell freeland and alto Manny Echazabal shine while drummer Matt Calderin ushers in the postlude with his finest

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich impression. "Begin the Agora" (in no way to be confused with

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter) swings hard from start to finish, underlined by Calderin's assertive timekeeping, Diaz's clever chart and crisp solos by Klarman, Davis, Turunen (on electric piano) and Diaz, whose expressive tenor presages the forceful climax.

Aside from the album's slender 37-minute playing time, there is nothing here to reprove. In sum, a strong and eloquent (albeit concise) debut.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Navigator; Circadia; Brother John / 2nd Line Strut / Iko Iko; Frank Blank; Begin the Agora.

Personnel

George Gershwin

composer / conductor

Greg Diaz: leader, arranger, tenor sax, clarinet, lead vocal; Jesus Mato: trumpet; Doug Michels: trumpet; Seth Merlin: trumpet; Kevin Wilde: trumpet; Ismael Vergara: alto sax, clarinet; Manny Echazabal: alto sax, clarinet; Scott Klarman: tenor sax; Mike Brignola: baritone sax; Russell Freeland: trombone; Jason Pyle: trombone; Tom Warfel: trombone; Michael Nunez: bass trombone; Eero Turunen: keyboards; Christian Davis: guitar; James McCoy: acoustic, electric bass; Matt Calderin: drums, percussion.

Album information

Title: Begin the Agora | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Self Produced

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