Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra: Nice Work

120

The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra: Nice Work

By

Sign in to view read count
The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra: Nice Work
There is indeed some “nice work” on this new release by the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra, thanks largely to the DRJO’s world–class stature as a working big band and the imposing talents of chief conductor Jim McNeely whose sharp and swinging arrangement of the Gershwin brothers’ “Nice Work If You Can Get It” was Grammy–nominated this year. Also from the Gershwins comes “. . .and Rhythm” (“I Got Rhythm”) which opens with a brief reminder of “Rhapsody in Blue” and includes emphatic solos by every member of the rhythm section, the insertion in mid–stream of snippets from a number of rhythmically strong bop classics, and exuberant hand–clapping by the band in support of drummer Jonas Johansen before Henrik Bolberg Pedersen’s muted trumpet leads to the subdued coda. McNeely wrote and arranged everything else except the placid “Moksha,” which was composed / arranged by tenor saxophonist Tomas Franck. Franck, an articulate post–bop champion, solos with guitarist Anders “Chico” Lindvall and bassist Thomas Oveson on “Moksha,” with Johansen and trombonist Vincent Nilsson on McNeely’s turbulent “Rough Night” and with Pedersen (flugel) on “Nice Work.” Lindvall is heard again on the pensive “Reflection,” Oveson and tenor Uffe Markussen on “Pete’s Feet,” pianist Nikolaj Berntzon and flugel Thomas Fryland on “Syretha’s Gift,” written by McNeely for one of his students “who has a wondrous insight into the spirit and soul of music” — a quality that one may reasonably suggest is shared by McNeely himself who seems to have found an agreeable “home away from home” with the DRJO. NIce work, gentlemen.

Contact:www.dacapo–records.dk

Track Listing

Pete

Personnel

Jim McNeely, conductor, composer, arranger, piano (

Album information

Title: Nice Work | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Dacapo Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.