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Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra: Night Devoid of Stars

By Jack Bowers
June 17, 2020
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Daniel Hersog

trumpet
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Hersog is the latest arrival in a long-running parade of world-class jazz composer-arrangers from Canada, albeit not in the image of

Rob McConnell

trombone
1935 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob McConnell,

Phil Nimmons

clarinet
b.1923

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Nimmons or Rick Wilkins but more akin to some of his mentors including (but not limited to)

John Hollenbeck

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">John Hollenbeck,

Ken Schaphorst

composer / conductor
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Schaphorst and

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Holland. Night Devoid of Stars (named for a premise by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), Hersog's debut recording as leader of his Jazz Orchestra, consists of half a dozen of his original compositions and one standard, Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."

For the most part this is cerebral music designed for the more perceptive listener. That does not mean, however, that it is not jazz, neither that it does not swing. In his own special way, Hersog covers those bases while lending the music a singular complexion that expresses his contemporary point of view. Even though Hersog's music is elaborate and multi-layered, he allocates ample space for extended solos, especially by pianist

Frank Carlberg

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Carlberg and tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger, each of whom is spotlighted on five of the album's seven numbers. They are admirable soloists, especially in the forward-leaning environment that serves as their launching pad. Preminger is most salient on the ballad "Makeshift Memorial," Carlberg on "Motion" and what Hersog portrays as a "macabre" version of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (a description that is inarguably precise).

The album opens on a genial note with the sunny and accessible "Cloud Break," on which Preminger and trumpeter

Brad Turner

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Turner are the soloists, before moving on to the mellow

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett-inspired "Motion" and "Makeshift Memorial." Carlberg's dancing piano introduces the title song, an animated and powerful "distillation," Hersog observes, of what can be heard before and after, on which Preminger and Turner again take center stage. Kern is next up, followed by the sleek and seductive "Indelible," on which clarinetists

Tom Keenlyside

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Keenlyside and

Michael Braverman

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Braverman establish a groovy matrix and Preminger follows suit. The rhythmic "Song for Henrique," which closes the curtain, traverses the lyric map from classical to free jazz to Middle Eastern motifs, all of which are cherished by its dedicatee, the Brazilian pianist Henrique Eisenmann. It is an altogether suitable finale that marks the impressive debut of a composer-arranger whose jazz perspective is inclusive and far-reaching.

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Track Listing

Cloud Break; Motion; Makeshift Memorial; Night Devoid of Stars; Smoke Gets in Your Eyes; Indelible; Song for Henrique.

Personnel

Daniel Hersog

trumpet

Michael Kim

trumpet

Brad Turner

trumpet

Derry Byrne

trumpet

Jocelyn Waugh

trumpet

Chris Startup

saxophone, alto

Michael Braverman

saxophone, alto

Noah Preminger

saxophone, tenor

Tom Keenlyside

woodwinds

Ben Henriques

saxophone, tenor

Rod Murray

trombone

Jim Hopson

trombone

Brian Harding

trombone

Sharman King

trombone

Frank Carlberg

composer / conductor

James Meger

bass, acoustic

Michael Sarin

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Chris Startup: clarinet; Michael Braverman: soprano saxophone, clarinet; Tom Keenlyside: flute, piccolo, alto flute; Ben Henriques: bass clarinet; Michael Kim: flugelhorn; Brad Turner: flugelhorn; Derry Byrne: flugelhorn; Jocelyn Waugh: flugelhorn.

Album information

Title: Night Devoid of Stars | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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