Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Vanessa Perica Orchestra: The Eye is the First Circle

Vanessa Perica Orchestra: The Eye is the First Circle

By Jack Bowers
November 25, 2023
View read count

Vanessa Perica Orchestra: The Eye is the First Circle

In a review of Love Is a Temporary Madness, the debut recording by Australian composer/arranger

Vanessa Perica

composer / conductor
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Vanessa Perica, the observation was made that "Perica's impact in the realm of big-band jazz should be anything but temporary." Perica's second album, The Eye Is the First Circle, has added an exclamation point to that assertion.

Again, each of the album's seven numbers was written and arranged by Perica. And again, she has shown that she deserves to be in the front ranks among contemporary big-band composers. While it certainly helps to have an orchestra as proficient as this one, Perica makes the most of their talents with charts that test every section's alertness and ability to adapt no matter what the mood or tempo. In that respect, she is firmly aligned with the great big-band masters on whose shoulders she stands: Ellington, Strayhorn, Holman, Nestico, Mulligan, Wilkins, Rugolo, Brookmeyer, Paich,

Oliver Nelson

saxophone
1932 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Nelson,

Shorty Rogers

trumpet
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Shorty Rogers and so many others—without sounding a great deal like any of them.

The opening title song sets the tone for what is to follow, with brass and reeds producing a persuasive prologue for alto saxophonist

Carl Mackey

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Mackey and drummer

Ben VanderWal

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben VanderWal . The tempo—but not the intensity—slows on "What a Time to Be Alive," whose admirable soloists are trumpeter

Mat Jodrell

trumpet
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Mat Jodrell and pianist

Andrea Keller

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrea Keller. Tenor

Jamie Oehlers

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jamie Oehlers is showcased on the richly textured "Hill of Grace" (with Keller dazzling in support), alto

Julien Wilson

saxophone, tenor
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Julien Wilson on "Meet Me at Phoenix Street," a shimmering ballad into whose pinnacle he pours lavish emotion.

Swing takes center stage on "Song for Cleo," with Vanderwal and his section mates (Keller, guitarist

Theo Carbo

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Theo Carbo, bassist

Sam Anning

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Anning) preparing the runway for alto

Tessie Overmyer

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Tessie Overmyer and—after a pleasing downshift in tempo— trombonist

Thomas Voss

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Thomas Voss. "Still We Rise" is a lustrous anthem, underlined by Keller's tasteful piano, an earnest solo from trombonist

Jordan Murray

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jordan Murray and several impressive passages spotlighting the ensemble. The temperate "Love and War," featuring trumpeter

Paul Williamson

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Williamson, rings down the curtain on a splendid sophomore outing by Perica—who continues to impress—and her talented Jazz Orchestra.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Eye is the First Circle; What a Time to Be Alive; Hill of Grace; Meet Me at Phoenix Street; Song for Cleo; Still We Rise; Love and War.

Personnel

Vanessa Perica

composer / conductor

Carl Mackey

saxophone, alto

Tessie Overmyer

saxophone, alto

Julien Wilson

saxophone, tenor

Jamie Oehlers

saxophone, tenor

Tim Stocker

saxophone, baritone

Mat Jodrell

trumpet

Daniel Beasy

trumpet

Paddy McMullin

trumpet

Paul Williamson

trumpet

Jordan Murray

trombone

Nick Mulder

trombone

Thomas Voss

trombone

Joe O'Callaghan

guitar

Andrea Keller

piano

Theo Carbo

guitar

Sam Anning

bass

Ben VanderWal

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Carl Mackey: soprano saxophone (tracks 1, 6); Wendy Clarke: flute (track 6); Julien Wilson: clarinet (track 6).

Album information

Title: The Eye is the First Circle | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

MagiCircle Featuring Paoli Mejias
< Previous

Fire Within
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.