Home » Jazz Articles » Extended Analysis » Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra: Kim Richmond Concer...
Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra: Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra: Artistry
ByRichmond wrote three numbers"Horizon Under," "Anchor of Hope," "Poetry"and arranged everything, from Johnny Mandel's dreamy "Seascape" and Neal Hefti's "Virna" to the standard "Willow Weep for Me" and a trio of songs from Hollywood films: "Invitation," "Over the Rainbow" and "Zippidy Altered," Richmond's modern adaptation of the Academy Award-winning song from 1946, "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." The liner notes consist of lengthy analyses of the songs, with Richmond explaining clearly the framework and purpose of each one, starting with "Artistry in Rhythm," which embodies all the elements of the original, reinforced by Bob Carr's bassoon solo, nimble trombone passages in a Latin epicenter, yeoman work by the rhythm section, and a brief commentary by flutist Alex Budman that leads to the tune's final crescendo.
Steve Hufffsteter's trumpet, Budman's soprano and Glen Berger's tenor saxophone are the solo voices on "Horizon Under," which opens in Sauter / Finegan style (martial drums set against chirping trumpets) before settling into a gentle groove enhanced by John Proulx's wordless vocal. "Anchor of Hope," which runs for more than fifteen minutes, is the album's centerpiece, spanning a variety of moods and colors from choral to Latin, ballad to swing, and enfolding earnest solos by Berger, tombonist Joey Sellers, trumpeter Brian Swartz, bassoonist Carr and John Dickson on French horn as a preface to Ron King's wailing high- note trumpet. Tenor John Yoakum and bassist Trey Henry hold sway on "Intermission Riff," a straight-ahead chart that uses as its midsection an ensemble setting of trombonist Carl Fontana's memorable solo from a mid-'50s recording of the song.
Guest soloist Hubert Laws makes his lone appearance on "Seascape," his sensuous flute brightening Mandel's lovely ballad prior to Richmond's superb alto solo on Bronislau Kaper's haunting, dark-hued "Invitation" and buoyant statements by guitarist Tom Hynes and flutist Budman on the Harold Arlen / Yip Harburg classic, "Over the Rainbow," admirably arranged by Richmond who then gives free rein to trombonist Ryan Dragon and pianist Andy Langham (who seize the moment) on an updated version of "The Peanut Vendor." The luminous "Virna," written by Hefti to depict the actress Virna Lisa, showcases trombonist George McMullen and vibraphonist David Johnson and precedes Richmond's second solo feature, Ann Ronell's ballad "Willow Weep for Me," on which he is typically awesome.
This leads to "Zippidy Altered," wherein Richmond stands Allie Wrubel's unforgettable tune on its ear so that, in his words, "only the contour remains." While that's better than nothingand Richmond is certainly entitled to make whatever changes suit his planthose who love the melody as originally written (some reviewers among them) may be less than charmed by the revisions. The album closes on a more auspicious note with "Poetry," an enchanting orchestral tone poem on which Proulx's expressive vocal once again undergirds the ensemble. In sum, a remarkable tribute to one of the big-band era's musical giants, admirably scored by Richmond and splendidly performed by the exemplary Concert Jazz Orchestra, which lives up to its name in every respect.
Track Listing
Artistry in Rhythm; Horizon Under; Anchor of Hope; Intermission Riff; Seascape; Invitation; Over the Rainbow; The Peanut Vendor; Virna; Willow Weep for Me; Zippidy Altered; Poetry.
Personnel
Kim Richmond
saxophoneKim Richmond: leader, conductor, composer, arranger, alto sax; Bob O’Donnell: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ron King: trumpet, flugelhorn; Jamie Hovorka: trumpet, flugelhorn; Steve Huffsteter: trumpet, flugelhorn; Brian Swartz: trumpet, flugelhorn; Alex Budman: alto, soprano sax, flute, piccolo; Bob Crosby: alto sax, oboe, flute; Glen Berger: tenor sax, flute, clarinet; John Yoakum: tenor sax, flute, English horn; Bob Carr: baritone sax, bass clarinet, bassoon; John Dickson: French horn; Stephanie O’Keefe: French horn; Bill Roper: tuba; Ryan Dragon: trombone; Joey Sellers: trombone; George McMullen: trombone; Craig Gosnell: bass trombone; Tom Hynes: guitar; Andy Langham: piano; Trey Henry: bass; Ralph Razze: drums; David Johnson: mallet percussion (vibes, timpani, orchestra bells, chimes); Scott Breadman: Latin / hand percussion; John Proulx: wordless vocals. Special guest — Hubert Laws: flute (5).
Album information
Title: Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra: Artistry | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: MAMA Records
< Previous
A Beautiful Friendship: Remembering S...
Next >
Take Five With Shane Cooper