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Vince Mendoza: Freedom Over Everything
ByVince Mendoza
composer / conductorb.1961

Joshua Redman
saxophoneb.1969
Two brief observations: first, this is charming and tasteful music, unerringly performed by the CNSO; second, it is almost entirely symphonic, more on the order of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein or Samuel Barber than

Duke Ellington
piano1899 - 1974

Gil Evans
composer / conductor1912 - 1988

Johnny Mandel
arrangerb.1925
The question is, how does one appraise an album whose music is lovely but whose jazz component is almost nonexistent. Perhaps by letting readers know exactly that: to wit, the music is splendid, the message commendable, and Mendoza deserves high marks for his vision and creativity. On the other hand, this is by no means jazz, nor does it even pretend to be. Taken for what it isa contemporary symphonic suite with only the merest hint of jazzFreedom Over Everything is warmly recommended. As a jazz album, not so much. The stars are thus awarded for Mendoza's mastery and the CNSO's excellence, not for the album's jazz component. If one is aware of that and responds accordingly, mission accomplished. ">
Track Listing
1-7. Concerto for Orchestra: American Noise; Consolation; Hit the Streets; Meditation; Justice and the Blues; Freedom over Everything; Finale. 8. To the Edge of Longing; 9. New York Stories.
Personnel
Vince Mendoza
composer / conductorAdditional Instrumentation
Czech National Symphony Orchestra; Jan Hasenohrl: trumpet (1, 9); Tom Walsh: trumpet (6); Lukas Chen: guitar (1); Derek Hodge: guitar (5-7, 9); Paul Jackson, Jr.: guitar (6); Arm Kersbergen: bass (1-4); Joshua Redman: tenor sax (4); Alexej Rosik: violin (8); Julia Bullock: vocal soprano (8); Antonio Sanchez: drums; Oleg Sokolov: marimba (6); Black Thought: rap vocal (6).
Album information
Title: Freedom Over Everything | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Modern Recordings
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About Vince Mendoza
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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