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Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Bernstein Reimagined
Duke Ellington
piano1899 - 1974
Scott Silbert
saxophone, tenor
Mike Tomaro
saxophoneb.1958
Jay Ashby
tromboneDarryl Brenzel
woodwinds
Steve Williams
drumsb.1956
Three of the ten songs reprised here are from Bernstein's first Broadway outing, On the Town, complementing one each from the plays Peter Pan, Trouble in Tahiti and A Quiet Place. Wrapping up the diverse and colorful program are the "Waltz" from Divertimento for Orchestra, written for the Boston Symphony's centennial; "Meditation #1" from Bernstein's Mass; the lithe and lyrical "Chichester Psalms I;" and Silbert's impassioned arrangement of the "Symphonic Suite" from director Elia Kazan's Academy Award-winning film, On the Waterfront. There's jazz in every nook and cranny, none of which escapes the SJMO's scrupulous inspection. In fact, one of the more remarkable aspects of this compendium is that when it comes to jazz, Bernstein's symphonic and ceremonial works yield no ground to his more normative themes for stage and film, and for that, credit must be shared among the outstanding arrangers who brought them to life.
The first of those designers is Silbert, whose dancing clarinet introduces the light and breezy "Times Square Ballet" from the musical On the Town. Deft changes in mood and tempo amplify its jazzier moments, underlining assertive solos by alto saxophonist
Steve Williams
drumsb.1956
Luis Hernandez
saxophone, tenorTom Eby
trumpetCharlie Young
saxophone, alto
Bill Mulligan
saxophone, altoKen Kimery
drumsTom Williams
trumpetTony Nalker
piano
Victor Provost
drums, steelJennifer Krupa
trombone
Marty Ashby
guitarb.1961
Kenny Rittenhouse
trumpetb.1966
Bernstein's music is not only well-served here, it is more often than not ennobled, bold as that assessment may seem. The SJMO is world-class, as are its commendable arrangers and soloists, some of whom are veterans of the several topnotch DC-area service bands. Together, they raise Bernstein Reimagined well above the norm, the outcome of which is a charming and persuasive listening experience that is worth enjoying many times over. ">
Track Listing
Times Square Ballet (from "On the Town"); Dream With Me (from "Peter Pan"); Great Lover (from "On the Town"); Lonely Town (from "On the Town"); Morning Sun (from "Trouble in Tahiti"); Waltz (from "Divertimento for Orchestra"); Meditation #1 (from "Mass"); Chichester Psalms I; Postlude (from "A Quiet Place"); Symphonic Suite (from "On The Waterfront").
Personnel
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestraCharlie Young
saxophone, altoKen Kimery
drumsLiesl Whitaker
trumpetTom Williams
trumpetTom Eby
trumpet
Kenny Rittenhouse
trumpet
Steve Williams
drums
Bill Mulligan
saxophone, altoScott Silbert
saxophone, tenor
Luis Hernandez
saxophone, tenor
Leigh Pilzer
saxophone, baritoneJennifer Krupa
tromboneMatt Neff
tromboneBill Holmes
tromboneJeff Cortazzo
trombone
Marty Ashby
guitarTony Nalker
piano
James King
bass, acousticIan Ashby
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Charlie Young: Conductor, Alto Saxophone; Steve Williams: Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet; Bill Mulligan: Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet; Scott Silbert: Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet; Luis Hernandez: Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet; Leigh Pilzer: Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet; Liesl Whitaker: Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Tom Williams: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Tom Eby: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Kenny Rittenhouse: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Jennifer Krupa: Lead Trombone; Matt Neff: Trombone; Bill Holmes: Trombone; Jeff Cortazzo: Bass Trombone; Marty Ashby: Guitar; Tony Nalker: Piano; James King: Bass (tracks 1, 3-5, 7-10); Ian Ashby: Bass (track 2); Michael Bowie: Bass (tracks 6, 8); Ken Kimery: Executive Director, Drums; Victor Provost: Steel Pans (track 6); Jay Ashby: Percussion; Lucas Ashby: Percussion.
Album information
Title: Bernstein Reimagined | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: MCG Jazz
Tags
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Album Review
Jack Bowers
Bernstein Reimagined
MCG Jazz
Charlie Young
duke ellington
Scott Silbert
Mike Tomaro
Jay Ashby
Darryl Brenzel
Steve Williams
Steve Williams
Luis Hernandez
Tom Eby
Bill Mulligan
Ken Kimery
Tom Williams
Tony Nalker
Victor Provost
Jennifer Krupa
Marty Ashby
Kenny Rittenhouse
Comments
About Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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