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Shawn Maxwell: Shawn Maxwell's Alliance

By Ben Scholz
March 1, 2015
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Fronted by an already well-established Chicago area saxophonist, the Shawn Maxwell Alliance expands the concept of what a mixed ensemble can accomplish in the jazz realm. This debut album features a sprawling list of modern jazz composers and leaders including another Chicago saxophonist,

Chris Greene

saxophone
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Greene, vocalist

Keri Johnsrud

vocals
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Keri Johnsrud, vibraphonist

Stephen Lynerd

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephen Lynerd, and bassist

Stacy McMichael

" data-original-title="" title="">Stacy McMichael. The group is augmented with a collection of featured players including guitarist Mitch Corso, double bassist

Marc Piane

bass
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Piane, drummer Paul Townsend and Rachel Maxwell and Meghan Fulton on french horn.

A long list of tunes accompanies this large ensemble as the album features a full 18 tracks of original compositions. A cryptic list of titles including "Radio Hit Number Four" (actual album track # 11) and "EGOT" seems to reference inside jokes and industry terminology.

Dave Holland

bass
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Holland's Big Band and

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker's Quindectet are obvious influences here, though elements of Sun Ra can be heard in the tracks "Quartan" and "Perpetual Day One."

With the exception of the aptly titled "Here's Your Swing Tune," all of the grooves are either straight or free and most of the song structure is motivic. Instead of relying on a repeating form of chord changes to support solos, Shawn's compositional style tends to layer repeating riffs and phrases into themes. Soloists are then free to take liberties with the material, bending and shaping it before returning to the original idea. A concept album in the jazz genre if there ever was one.

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Track Listing

Fun Five Funk; Lynes Crayons; EGOT; From Parts Unknown; Song For Something Else; Plaza; Waiting Food; Pistols N' Tulips; Bitty Bitty Beep; Quartan; Radio Hit Number Four; Here's Your Swing Tune; Little Ninja Groove; Perpetual Day One; Looking For Alex; Full Count; Shadowbox; You Alright? I Learned It By Watching You.

Personnel

Shawn Maxwell

saxophone, alto

Shawn Maxwell: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Chris Greene: soprano saxophone; Keri Johnsrud: voice; Stephen Lynerd: vibraphone, percussion; Mitch Corso:guitar; Rachel Maxwell: french horn; Meghan Fulton: french horn; Stacy McMichael: bass; Marc Piane: bass; Paul Townsend: drums.

Album information

Title: Shawn Maxwell's Alliance | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Chicago Session LTD.

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