Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz

Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz

By Jack Bowers
April 29, 2020
View read count

Chamber Jazz, alto saxophonist

Charles Pillow

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Pillow's eighth recording as leader of his ensemble, is a generally sedate but remarkably engaging series of tone poems that combine contemporary jazz with elements of classical music to produce a hybrid that underlines what is most harmonious and charming in each genre. Chamber Jazz is what it says, and chamber jazz is what it is. For comparison's sake, think of the ensemble as the Modern Jazz Quartet times five. True, there is no

John Lewis

piano
1920 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lewis or

Milt Jackson

vibraphone
1923 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Milt Jackson on hand, but

Gary Versace

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Versace (on piano and accordion) and guitarist

Vic Juris

guitar
1953 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Vic Juris are more than admirable replacements.

As for Pillow, he not only composed four of the album's eight selections (the first two and last two) and arranged all of them, he also plays flute, alto flute, clarinet, oboe and English horn in addition to alto and soprano saxophones. To realize his purpose, Pillow has assembled a twenty-piece orchestra whose string section (three violins, two violas, two cellos) undergirds an axial unit that includes, besides Pillow, Versace and Juris, trumpeter

Scott Wendholt

trumpet
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Wendholt, trombonist

Alan Ferber

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Alan Ferber, French hornist Charles Komer, tubaist

Marcus Rojas

tuba
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Rojas, clarinetist

Todd Groves

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Groves (who trebles on flute and bass clarinet), bassists

Jeff Campbell

bass
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Campbell and

Jay Anderson

bass
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Anderson, percussionist

Rogerio Boccato

percussion
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Rogerio Boccato and drummers

Mark Ferber

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Ferber and

Rich Thompson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rich Thompson.

Although he has been based in New York City since 1987, Pillow is a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and so it is entirely appropriate that the session should open with his hauntingly lovely "While in Pass Manchac," named for an area near New Orleans between Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas. Pillow solos with trumpeter Wendholt on that one, and with Versace on the gossamer "Charlotte and Evan," dedicated to Pillow's daughter and son.

Billie Holiday

vocals
1915 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Billie Holiday's wistful "Don't Explain," a silken showpiece for Juris, is next. On a somber note, the recording may have been one of Juris' last gigs before his untimely passing in December 2019 at age sixty-six. There's some mellow Latin rhythm on Hermeto Pascoal's "Bebe" (with solos by Versace on accordion, Pillow on clarinet), more placid rumination on

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams' "Pee Wee" (with solos by Pillow, on alto flute, and Juris). Rojas' rumbling tuba ushers in

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's playful, seldom-heard "Oska T," which leads to Pillow's warm-hearted "Abschied, Ray" (written for his father) and a second salute to an area of Louisiana, the picturesque "Atchafalaya Fiction." Wendholt and Ferber solo smartly on "Oska T," Versace on "Ray," Ferber and Versace on "Fiction."

This is lovely music, lovingly performed by Pillow and his ensemble. No, it likely won't entice you to clap your hands, tap your toes or hurry into a dance—but it may cause you to listen with your heart and appreciate a warm and impressive performance simply for what it is. If it does, Pillow will have assuredly eclipsed his goal with room to spare.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

While in Pass Manchac; Charlotte and Evan; Don��t Explain; Bebe; Pee Wee; Oska T; Abschied, Ray; Atchafalaya Fiction.

Personnel

Charles Pillow

saxophone

Scott Wendholt

trumpet

Alan Ferber

trombone

Chris Komer

french horn

Marcus Rojas

tuba

Todd Groves

saxophone, tenor

Vic Juris

guitar

Gary Versace

piano

Jeff Campbell

bass

Jay Anderson

bass

Mark Ferber

drums

Rich Thompson

drums

Rogerio Boccato

percussion

Album information

Title: Chamber Jazz | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Summit Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Won't Put No Flag Out
< Previous

In the Heart of Nature: K?s and Mar...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.