Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Daniel Smith: Jazz Suite for Bassoon

Daniel Smith: Jazz Suite for Bassoon

By Jack Bowers
June 25, 2015
View read count

Jazz Suite is the second album by bassoonist

Daniel Smith

bassoon
- 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Smith to be reviewed in these precincts (Smokin' Hot Bassoon Blues was the first). This one is far more agreeable, for at least two reasons: first, the territory Smith traverses seems to be relatively more familiar (especially the "Baroque Adaptations") and, second, he manages to play squarely on-key, which wasn't always the case on Smokin' Hot Blues. The

Scott Joplin

piano
1868 - 1917

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Joplin rags (there are three) are always a pleasure to hear, even in this singular context (bassoon, strings and rhythm), while pianist

Steve Zegray

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Zegray's seductive three-movement "Jazz Suite" kindles memories of the late

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini's delightful forays into small-group swing.

According to an accompanying press release, Smith has been described (it doesn't say where, when or by whom) as "the

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker,

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

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

J.J. Johnson

trombone
1924 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">J.J. Johnson of the bassoon." Once the thought of Bird, Jeru and J.J. turning over in their graves has passed, the question arises: what are those arbiters hearing? Although Smith plays well here (much better than on Smokin' Hot Blues), the distance between his bassoon and those other jazz icons can still be measured in light years. True, the bassoon is an ungainly instrument whose adaptation to the jazz idiom is precarious at best, but it can be done—witness Australia's

Errol Buddle

b.1928

" data-original-title="" title="">Errol Buddle or, more recently,

Michael Rabinowitz

bassoon
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Rabinowitz on his album with French horn virtuoso

John Clark

french horn
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">John Clark. Smith's solos are respectable, with the jazziest of them arising on the Suite's animated finale, but still a long, long way from Parker, Mulligan or Johnson.

The album opens with the "Baroque Adaptations for Bassoon and Jazz Trio," its five parts written, in order, by Antonio Vivaldi, William Byrd, Henry Purcell, Vivaldi again and J.S. Bach. The classically oriented Smith has no trouble breezing through each of them, while the trio (pianist

Bruce Boardman

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruce Boardman, bassist Terry Davis, drummer

Martin Drew

drums
1944 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Drew) is up to the task as well. The Joplin rags are a pleasing departure, sprightly and remarkably well-suited to bassoon. They include "The Chrysanthemum," "The Easy Winners" and "Original Rags." The "Jazz Suite," on which composer / pianist Gray is a standout, benefits from the addition of two splendid sidemen —vibraphonist Jim Lawless and guitarist

Mitch Dalton

" data-original-title="" title="">Mitch Dalton —who help counterbalance Smith's resonant bassoon. The Suite consumes roughly half the disc's forty-one-minute playing time.

This time around, bassoonist Smith leaves a far more favorable impression, thanks in part to his admirable choice of material, first-class sidemen and, most of all, his precise modulation and notable dexterity, which seemed at times to be missing in action on Smokin' Hot Bassoon Blues. For fans of the bassoon, a vivid and impressive album.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Baroque Adaptations for Bassoon and Jazz Trio (Allegro from Concerto in Bb / Pavan: The Earl of Salisbury / Air on a Ground Bass / Largo / Badinerie); Scott Joplin Rags (The Chrysanthemum / The Easy Winners / Original Rags); Jazz Suite for Bassoon (Allegro / Ballade / Finale).

Personnel

Daniel Smith

bassoon

Baroque ��Daniel Smith: bassoon; Bruce Boardman: piano; Terry Davis: bass; Martin Drew: drums. Rags ��Daniel Smith: bassoon; Jonathan Still: piano; Paul Manley: violin; Boguslaw Kosiecki: violin; Kate Musker: viola; Justin Pearson: cello; Michael Brittain: bass. Suite ��Daniel Smith: bassoon; Steve Gray: piano; Mitch Dalton: guitar; JimLawless: vibraphone; Roy Babbington: bass; Mike Smith: drums.

Album information

Title: Jazz Suite for Bassoon | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Summit Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Different Clocks
< Previous

Antonio Adolfo Graces Seattle's Braz...
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.