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Doug Richards Orchestra: Through a Sonic Prism

By Jack Bowers
November 6, 2023
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If the title of the

Doug Richards

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug Richards Orchestra's new album, Through a Sonic Prism, seems a bit esoteric, its subtitle—"The Music of

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim"—should help set the mind at ease. This is undeniably beautiful music, handsomely arranged by Richards and flawlessly performed by his eighteen-member Virginia-based ensemble and vocalist

Laura Ann Singh

" data-original-title="" title="">Laura Ann Singh, whose seductive voice enhances ten of the album's fourteen numbers—most of which were recorded during the pandemic.

Some of the songs are familiar—indeed, at least four have earned the status of jazz standards—while others may be lesser-known but are no less pleasing, especially when so tastefully scored by Richards and brightly embellished by Singh, who is heard on six of the album's first seven numbers and four thereafter. An exception early on is a clever reading of "Samba de Uma Nota So," on which every member of the orchestra is given a four-bar solo. Singh is the vocalist on a trio of Jobim's more celebrated themes: "Chega de Saudade," "Insensatez" and "A Felicidade," each of which shines anew thanks to Richards' luminous charts.

Tenor saxophonist J.C. Kuhl, one of the ensemble's brigade of resourceful soloists, is featured on "Insensatez" and with trombonist

Bryan Hooten

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bryan Hooten (who makes good use of multiphonics) on "A Felicidade." Trumpeter

John D'Earth

trumpet
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">John D'Earth is showcased on the penultimate number, "Meditacao" (Meditation) and with pianist

Daniel Clarke

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Clarke on the even-tempered ballad "Ligia," as are trombonists Hooten and

Pete Anderson

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete Anderson (with Singh) on the lively "Samba de Aviao." Other soloists of note include soprano

John Wittman

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">John Wittman, baritone

Rick Rieger

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Rieger, clarinetist

John Winn

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">John Winn and guitarist

Adam Larrabee

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Larrabee. Larrabee, D'earth, flugel

Taylor Barnett

trumpet
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Taylor Barnett and drummer Jones share blowing space on the unflappable finale, "Retrato em Branco e Preto."

Singh (and Rieger) raise the curtain in a groovy mode with "Chovendo na Roseira," which leads to the pensive "E Preciso Dizer Adeus" and frisky "Una Nota." Singh then returns to brighten the lyrical "Falando de Amor," "Chega de Saudade," "Insensatez" and "A Felicidade" before the orchestra takes center stage on "Ligia" and "O Grande Amor." "Sabia," a sensuous ballad on which Singh returns, precedes "Samba de Aviao"and the (next-to) last of her vocals, on the soft-spoken "Se Todos Fossem Iguala a Voce." D'earth is suitably eloquent on the easygoing "Meditacao," followed by "Retrato em Branco a Preto," which Singh closes with a down-to-the-wire vocal.

Richards, who founded the Jazz Studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980, also formed and was music director of the Great American Music Ensemble (GAME), which presented an annual concert series from 1990-97 at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theatre in Washington, DC. Many of his students have become professional musicians with orchestras including

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie,

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Village Vanguard Orchestra, as well as with smaller groups led by

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver, Abby Lincoln,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea,

Cyrus Chestnut

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Cyrus Chestnut,

Dave Holland

bass
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Holland, the Brecker brothers and many others.

As for Richards, he has eased comfortably into his role as VCU professor emeritus while continuing to write charts as fresh and creative as those on Through a Sonic Prism, which sets a high bar for anyone whose purpose may be to follow in his footsteps.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Chovendo na Roseira; E Preciso Dizer Adeus; Samba de Uma Nota; Falando de Amor; Chega de Saudade; Insensatez; A Felicidade; Ligia; O Grande Amor; Sabia; Samba de Aviao; Se Todos Fossem Igusta a Voce; Meditacao; Retrato em Branco e Preto.

Personnel

Doug Richards

composer / conductor

Roy Muth

trumpet

Mike Davison

trumpet

Bob Miller

trumpet

John D'Earth

trumpet

Taylor Barnett

trumpet

John Winn

saxophone, alto

Jim Nesbit

saxophone, alto

Lauren Serpa

flute

JC Kuhl

saxophone

John Wittman

saxophone, tenor

Rick Rieger

saxophone, baritone

Bryan Hooten

trombone

Pete Anderson

trombone

Toby Whitaker

trombone

Philip Jones

trombone, bass

Daniel Clarke

piano

Additional Instrumentation

John Toomey: piano, keyboards; Adam Larrabee: guitar; Randall Pharr: acoustic, electric bass; Brian Jones: drums; Laura Ann Singh: vocals.

Album information

Title: Through a Sonic Prism | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

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