Marty Ehrlich: The Long View

The first movement commences with a bracing sax statement by Ehrlich, followed by the stirring entry of twelve more musicians on a range of reeds, brass and rhythm. Trumpeter Eddie Allen takes a turn out front, before being joined by Ehrlich in an exchange of growls and squeals. The horns swell and recede, sometimes in big band style swing, at other times in furious group improvisation. Occasionally an instrument will come to the fore, like Mark Dresser’s bass solo that signals the segue into “Movement II.” In contrast to the rousing horns of the first part, this movement features the rolling mallets of Bobby Previte, the mournful strings of Mark Feldman on violin, Ralph Farris on viola, amd Erik Friedlander on cello—and Ehrlich’s pretty soprano.

The depth of “Movement III” is measured by Ned Rothenberg’s bass clarinet, J.D. Parran’s contrabass clarinet and Andy Laster’s baritone, which enable a conversation between trumpets and provide poignant contrast to Ehrlich’s flute song. “Movement IV” starts with Wayne Horvitz playing delicately on piano in a quartet setting before Ehrlich tears it up on alto. Later in the same piece, Ehrlich and Dresser duet on flute and bass. Ray Anderson’s trombone establishes the slow drag groove of the beginning and end of “Movement V,” with Ehrlich responding with bluesy tenor, and for “Movement VI,” the full ensemble mimics the scope and variety of “Movement I,” this time dominated by Ehrlich’s honking alto soloing, bubbling accompaniment by Marcus Rojas on tuba and Pheeroan akLaff’s emphatic beats.

Movement within movements, gripping orchestrations, and overwhelming collective work define Ehrlich’s accomplishment. If you’re looking for something more than usual small group jazz, Ehrlich’s music for large band is both challenging and rewarding.

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