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Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra: Without A Trace

By Edward Blanco
April 4, 2018
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Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra: Without A Trace

The Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra follows up the highly successful debut album Portraits and Places (Origin, 2016), with another masterpiece recording on Without A Trace offering new and exciting arrangements of three standards and four creative Reeves originals that all together, pack quite a powerful musical punch. A full-tenured professor at The City University of New York (CUNY), composer, trombonist and flugelhornist Reeves, takes this twenty-piece ensemble to a higher level in fashioning a riveting musical statement that is sure to resonate with lovers of the big band sound.

Comprising some of the finest musicians from the New York jazz scene, Reeves spices the cast by including such luminaries as saxophonists

Steve Wilson

saxophone
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Wilson and

Tim Armacost

saxophone, tenor
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Armacost, along with pianist

Jim Ridi

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Ridi and vocalist Carolyn Leonhart among the world-class personnel. Penned with an Afro-Cuban rhythm in mind, the time-honored Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash composition "Speak Low," takes on a new life with solo moments from Wilson, trumpeter

Chris Rogers

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Rogers and drummer

Andy Watson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Watson.

Pianist Ridi and tenor saxophonist Armacost provide the lead solos on the Reeves title track ("Without a Trace") that features Leonhart lending her lush vocals in a tune characterized by unconventional harmonies that work quite well here. The Altman/Lawrence standard "All or Nothing at All," highlights Reeves on a blazing trombone solo as the band turns brassy and bold on this interpretation of the classic with alto saxophonist

Vito Chiavuzzo

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Vito Chiavuzzo providing a pleasant spark.

From

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's 1965 release of "JuJu," Reeves provides the most recent arrangement from bassist

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci on this large orchestration of the familiar piece while "Shape Shifter," delivers a much more intricate sound from a slow intro to a fast-paced swinging ? section, a solo by the leader on alto flugelhorn as well as a shift in tempo and mood.

Ending in high-octane fashion, the band lets it all hang out on a tribute for the great

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones on "Something for Thad," featuring sparkling solos from trumpeter

Andy Gravish

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Gravish and trombonist

Matt Haviland

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Haviland capping a vibrant and powerful session of big band jazz from the Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra, kudos to Reeves and the band.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Speak Low; Without a Trace; All or Nothing at All; Incandescence: Juju; Shape Shifter; Something for Thad.

Personnel

Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra

Scott Reeves: trombone, alto flugelhorn; Steve Wilson: soprano saxophone, flute; Vito Chiavuzzo: alto saxophone, flute; Rob Middleton: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Tim Armacost: tenor saxophone; Terry Goss: baritone saxophone; Jay Brandford: baritone saxophone; Seneca Black: trumpet; Nathan Eklund: trumpet; Chris Rogers: trumpet; Bill Mobley: trumpet; Andy Gravish: trumpet; Tim Sessions: trombone; Matt McDonald: trombone; Matt Haviland: trombone; Max Siegel: bass trombone; Jim Ridi: piano; Dave Ellson: vibraphone; Todd Coolman: bass; Andy Watson: drums; Carolyn Leonhart: vocals.

Album information

Title: Without A Trace | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Origin Records

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