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Steven Lugerner: For We Have Heard

By John Sharpe
November 17, 2013
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In something of a departure for the Lithuanian No Business label, young San Francisco-born, NYC-based reedman

Steven Lugerner

woodwinds
b.1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Lugerner presents a LP of his thoughtfully arranged charts. To breathe life into the notation, Lugerner has assembled a talented crew, which he carefully deploys in varying combinations across the ten cuts. Not only that but he also overdubs himself in places to create a woodwind chorus and orchestral scale touches.

On trumpet, Bay Area resident

Darren Johnston

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Darren Johnston veers between melodic extemporizations and timbral effects, while pianist

Myra Melford

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Myra Melford reminds us why she is such an in-demand performer, taking cameo roles on two numbers which bookend the bulk of the 33-minute program: the concise but sprightly "Us and Our Fathers" and magnificently dashing "Our Children in Time." However drummer

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson proves the key figure, as his tuned cadences and pinpoint meter provide the main unifying features. It's harder to get a fix on the leader, as he switches between a battery of horns, ranging from pure-toned soprano saxophone to gallumphing bass clarinet.

In fact Lugerner's conception furnishes the prime talking point. He has fashioned a suite-like work, comprising multiple short tracks, best appreciated as a whole. It's not about wild solos. Most are pithy, tuneful and fitted to the contours of the piece, as exemplified by "When a Long Blast is Sounded" which begins with martial drums and stately piano. A lilting trumpet statement emerges from a unison with clarinet, but quickly merges with looser drum rhythms, before the drums take the piece out. When a brief passage of edgy interplay transpires on "All Those Kings" it signals a departure and indicates a potentially fertile sphere for future investigation, whereby the talented crew exert more leeway within the attractive arrangements.

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Track Listing

Us and Our Fathers; When a Long Blast is Sounded; Drove Out Before Us; Be Strong and Resolute; Before Our Very Eyes; Through Whose Midst We Passed; For We Have Heard; Up From The Land; All Those Kings; Our Children in Time

Personnel

Steven Lugerner

woodwinds

Steven Lugerner: Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, English Horn, soprano and alto saxophones, flute, alto flute; Darren Johnston: trumpet; Myra Melford: piano; Matt Wilson; drums.

Album information

Title: For We Have Heard | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: NoBusiness Records

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