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Clare Fischer Orchestra: Extension
By
Gil Evans
composer / conductor1912 - 1988

Claude Thornhill
vocals1909 - 1965

Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991

Dizzy Gillespie
trumpet1917 - 1993
Extension, by the Clare Fischer Orchestra, was originally released in 1963 on Pacific Jazz Recordings. The disc's 2012 reissue is superbly produced by Jonathan Horwich. In that late 50s/early 60s heyday of change and exploration in large ensemble jazz writing, it is a masterpiece of the genre.
The previously-mentioned Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie recordings were "soloist-fronting-and interacting-with-a-big-band" affairs. Extension is much more an ensemble outing, with reedman
Jerry Coker
b.1932"Orithhardy" opens with the gentle surge of Fischer's raspy organ. Horn and reed harmonies, laid out with a light touch, ebb and flow, and Coker lays down a tight tenor sax solo that gives way to breezy ensemble interplay. "Quiet Dawn" floats on a sea of reeds, Fischer's delicate piano touch, and splash of vibes with Coker's bass clarinet casting cloud shadows in the background. "Bittersweet" is majestic, classically influenced, featuring gorgeous and sophisticated harmonies, and "Igor" (for Igor Stravinsky?) is brash, tinted with the atonal, with a pair of very jazzy piano/bass/drums interludes.
The disc's title tune shifts form dreamy big band avant- garde interludes when all the horns and reeds are engaged, to swinging bop when Coker and the rhythm section step out front; and not enough can be said about Fischer's use of the organ for harmonic enhancement, swinging the sound out of the concert hall in the direction of the bar room.
Clare Fischer, who passed away in 2012, had a long and successful music career, though jazz was only a part of it. There was work in Latin jazz and Bossa Nova; he also wrote arrangements to season and enhance the records of popular artists Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Prince and many others. This release of his jazz masterpiece Extension for the first time on CD puts this great music back out where it can be heard again. ">
Track Listing
Ornithardy; Quiet Dawn; Bittersweet; Igor; Extension (Coker's Blues & Running Mate); Soloette; Passacaglia; Canto Africano.
Personnel
Clare Fischer
pianoClare Fischer: piano, organ, alto saxophone (1, 5-7), lujohn (2-4, 8); John Lowe: 1st flute and alto flute (2-4, 8), E-flat contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone and clarinet (1, 5- 7), piccolo (1-8); Sam Most: 2nd flute, alto flute, piccolo (2-4, 8); Bud Shank: flute, alto saxophone (1, 5-7); Don Shelton: E-flat clarinet, alto saxophone; Ben Kantor: clarinet (2-4, 8); Louis Ciotti: clarinet (2-4, 8); Gary Foster: E-flat alto clarinet, tenor saxophone; Jerry Coker: tenor saxophone (1, 5-7), bass clarinet (2-4, 8); Jack Nimitz: E-flat contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone (2-4, 8); Vince De Rosa: 1st horn; Richard Perissi: 2nd horn; Fred Teuber: 3rd horn; Gil Falco: tenor trombone; Bobby Knight: bass trombone; Tommy Johnson: tuba; Bob West: bass; Larry Bunker: vibes (2-4, 8), drums (1, 5-7); Colin Bailey: drums (2-4, 8).
Album information
Title: Extension | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: International Phonograph Inc.
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