Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » George Robert Jazztet: Remember the Sound (Homage to Mic...

George Robert Jazztet: Remember the Sound (Homage to Michael Brecker)

By George Kanzler
January 11, 2010
View read count

Working with a tentet similar to mid-size bands he's led on his own projects, composer/arranger

Jim McNeely

composer / conductor
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim McNeely has fashioned a musical tribute to the late

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker that manages to conjure up aspects of the late saxophonist's music and musical personality, without resorting to overt mimicry or pastiche. Led by alto saxophonist

George Robert

saxophone, tenor
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">George Robert, with faculty from the jazz program he heads at Switzerland's Lausanne Conservatory, the Jazztet negotiates the harmonic and counterpoint-rich music with esprit and élan.

The music references various periods and stylistic aspects of Brecker's career, beginning with the aptly titled "Burn," a flag waver the composer says is inspired by Brecker's many up-up-tempo quartet numbers. But "Burn" is no quartet piece; it's a full-fledged orchestral number with a theme that burgeons into counterpoint and fugue-like contrasts before giving way to Robert Bonisolo's inspired tenor sax and guest

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker's fiery trumpet solos over restlessly churning horns. "Silver Spheres" recalls Michael Brecker's tenure with

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver, in an undulating tune that could have come from the pianist's book. High and low horns provide an ongoing ensemble counterpoint on "In Step, Out Ahead," a salute to Brecker's time in

Steps Ahead

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Steps Ahead, while the rocking backbeat groove of "Hudson Funkshon" recalls the

Brecker Brothers

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Brecker Brothers years, complete with a distorted guitar solo and a saxophones/flute soli emulating the sound of the EWI (electronic wind instrument) that Brecker played in that band. Brecker's more spiritual side is remembered in the ballad "Into Thy Hands," featuring Robert's alto and a coda from Mathieu Schneider's flute, and the title tune, a gospel-influenced number with Bonisolo's tenor in the lead interacting with the horns as choir.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Burn; Silver Spheres; In Step, Out Ahead; Bumps; Into Thy Hands; Hudson Funkshon; Remember the Sound.

Personnel

George Robert

saxophone, tenor

Jim McNeely: composer/arranger; George Robert: alto sax; Robert Bonisolo" tenor sax; Matthieu Michel: trumpet and flugelhorn; Rene Mosele: trombone; Mathieu Schneider: flute; Laurent Wolf: soprano, alto and baritone saxes; Vinz Vonlanthen: guitar; Emil Spanyi: piano and keyboards; Jean-Piere Schaller: electric bass; Marcel Papaux: drums; Randy Brecker: trumpet (1).

Album information

Title: Remember the Sound (Homage to Michael Brecker) | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: TCB Music

PREVIOUS / NEXT

The Playmaker
< Previous

Pan Atlantic
Next >

George Robert Concerts

Sep 13 Sat

Joseph Hasty & Centerpiece Jazz

Biltmore Estate Winery
Asheville, NC

Oct 4 Sat

Joseph Hasty & Centerpiece Jazz Sextet

Biltmore Estate
Asheville, NC

Oct 18 Sat

Centerpiece Jazz Quartet

Old Barn Winery
West Jefferson, NC

Dec 7 Sun

A Centerpiece Jazz Christmas

Grace Episcopal Church
Morganton, NC

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.