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The Mark Masters Ensemble: Blue Skylight

By Jack Bowers
March 12, 2017
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The Mark Masters Ensemble: Blue Skylight

California-based composer / arranger

Mark Masters

arranger
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Masters, who has already recorded salutes to

Clifford Brown

trumpet
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Clifford Brown,

Jimmy Knepper

trombone
1927 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Knepper,

Dewey Redman

saxophone, tenor
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Dewey Redman, Steely Dan, the Gershwin brothers and even the

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington saxophone section, directs his attention and considerable talents this time around to the music of a pair of legendary jazz trend-setters who were in many respects polar opposites: bassist

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Mingus and saxophonist

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan.

To amplify his purpose, Masters made two pivotal decisions, each of which serves to enliven the enterprise. First, he chose lesser-known but no less engaging compositions by Mingus and Mulligan; and second, he trimmed the size of his ensemble to a septet to more closely exemplify the group size for which Mingus and Mulligan wrote most often, even though they were equally adept at composing and arranging for larger ensembles. Variety is assured by alternating front-liners, with saxophonists

Gene Cipriano

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Cipriano and

Adam Schroeder

saxophone, baritone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Schroeder replaced on five of eleven numbers by trumpeter

Ron Stout

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Stout and trombonist

Les Benedict

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Les Benedict.

Mingus is represented on the odd-numbered tracks, Mulligan on the even until the final number, Mulligan's "Motel," a deeply-grooved showcase for Schroeder's earthy baritone sax. One of the more charming aspects of Masters' arranging is that he doesn't over-write but instead earmarks ample room for blowing, which his sidemen undertake with abandon. Besides those already named, they include soprano / tenor

Jerry Pinter

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerry Pinter, alto

Gary Foster

woodwinds
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Foster, pianist

Ed Czach

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Czach, bassist

Putter Smith

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Putter Smith and drummer

Kendall Kay

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kendall Kay, each of whom is given one or more chances to shine, and none of whom fails to deliver the goods.

Aside from "Motel," the best-known Mulligan theme presented here is probably "Apple Core," performed in the day by various small groups as well as Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, while Mingus' relatively more familiar works include "Peggy's Blue Skylight" and "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love." Smith's resonant bass introduces a too-seldom-heard gem, "So Long Eric," Mingus' fond farewell to one of his trailblazing contemporaries, saxophonist

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy. Masters, an astute and perceptive arranger, readily ensnares the spirit of Mingus and Mulligan, while his ensemble leaves no phrase or nuance unchecked.

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Track Listing

Monk, Bunk and Visa Versa; Out Back of the Barn; So Long Eric; Wallflower; Peggy's Blue Skylight; Strayhorn 2; Duke Ellington's Sound of Love; Apple Core; Eclipse; Birds of a Feather; Motel.

Personnel

Mark Masters

arranger

Gary Foster: alto saxophone; Jerry Pinter: tenor and soprano saxophones; Gene Cipriano: tenor saxophone (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11); Adam Schroeder: baritone saxophone (2; 4; 6; 8; 10, 11); Ron Stout: trumpet (1, 3, 5, 7, 9); Les Benedict: trombone (1,3,5,7,9); Ed Czach: piano; Putter Smith: bass; Kendall Kay: drums.

Album information

Title: Blue Skylight | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Capri Records

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