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Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra: Open Spaces
ByHersog's version of Lightfoot's song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is noticeably shorter than the original recording but employs a stirring brass-heavy arrangement, punctuated by unhinged tenor saxophone soloing from Noah Preminger. "How Many Roads," derived from Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind," has a wandering, airy quality which provides a perfect background for Kurt Rosenwinkel's sweeping through in his distinctive electric guitar style. As for the real folk songs, "Shenandoah" is a touching feature for Scott Robinson's majestic baritone saxophone playing over rich brass harmonies, while Rosenwnikel turns up again on "Red River Valley," quietly picking single notes over another gorgeous Hersog arrangement.
The soloists are just as impressive in the leader's original works. "I Hear" is a kaleidoscopic jumble of walking grooves and percussive squawks derived from a Canadian children's song. It boasts more wild tenor saxophone from Preminger, slippery soprano sax from Ben Kono, and flying trumpet from Brad Turner. On "Canadian Folk Song," Rosenwinkel slides around with dreamy echo effects before the orchestra leads him into a swaying country dance inn which Preminger and pianist Frank Carlberg also get space to shine. "Rentrer" is an exceptional piece with a flow of quiet grandeur which contains more outstanding soloing from Carlberg and Robinson, plus an eloquent bass introduction by Kim Cass.
For all the power of the soloing here, the real heart of the album is in Hersog's writing. He uses a lot of sweeping massed harmonies which create a sense of drama without bombast. His brass and reeds often combine in a gentle, sinuous mode which is consistently haunting and a joy to hear. Daniel Hersog has developed a gift for expressive orchestral writing with beauty and emotion which puts him directly in the lineage of great jazz composers such as Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, and Maria Schneider. He is a great talent and this album is a remarkable and powerful work.
Track Listing
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald; How Many Roads; Ahead by a Century; Shenandoah; I Hear; Jib Set; Canadian Folk Song; Rentrer; Sarracenia Purpurea; Red River Valley.
Personnel
Daniel Hersog
trumpetKurt Rosenwinkel
guitarScott Robinson
saxophone, tenorNoah Preminger
saxophone, tenorFrank Carlberg
composer / conductorBen Kono
saxophoneBrad Turner
trumpetKim Cass
bass, acousticDan Weiss
drumsTom Keenlyside
fluteMichael Kim
trumpetDerry Byrne
trumpetJocelyn Waugh
trumpetJeremy Berkman
tromboneJim Hopson
tromboneSharman King
tromboneAdditional Instrumentation
Daniel Hersog: conductor; Ben Henriques: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet; Tom Keenlyside: alto flute, piccolo, tenor saxophone; Scott Robinson: bass clarinet, flute; Michael Kim, Brad Turner, Derry Byrne, Jocelyn Waugh: flugelhorn; Jim Hopson: euphonium.
Album information
Title: Open Spaces | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Cellar Music
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