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Dave Douglas: Mountain Passages

By Jim Santella
January 31, 2005
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Dave Douglas wrote the music for Mountain Passages at the request of the festival at The Sound of the Dolomites. The band hiked up to Rifugio Boe in Valle di Fassa and to Rifugio Brentei, near Madonna di Campliglio in the Alps of northern Italy, and played the music for hundreds of fans who had hiked up to hear them. Later, they put the music together again in a studio.

Douglas' modern mainstream jazz offers various moods. The band swings with reflections of New Orleans on "Twelve Degrees Proof" and "Cannonball Run." They also drift solemnly with passion through somber pieces such as "North Point Memorial" and "Family of the Climber." A heartfelt passion for the natural outdoors and its invitation to worthwhile physical exercise provides plenty of room for outward expression. Douglas doesn't hold back. With tuba, cello, alto saxophone, clarinet and drums, he explores each mountain trail. It's all there in the cohesive performance of his quintet.

The trumpeter's composed suites, with lengthy improvised sections, bring the band's adventure into focus. Portions of the program run light and easy, while Douglas' emphasis remains primarily focused on deeper thoughts. Meditative passages reflect the majestic mountain scenery and all its glory. The natural wonders that inspired Mountain Passages carry their message to our homes through the music of Dave Douglas and his modern jazz quintet.

Track Listing

Summit Music; Family Of The Climber; Gnarly Schnapps; Gumshoe; Twelve Degrees Proof; North Point Memorial; Cannonball Run; Palisades; A Nasty Spill; Purple Mountains Majesty; Off Major; Bury Me Standing; Encore - All is Forgiven.

Personnel

Dave Douglas

trumpet

Michael Moore - Clarinet

clarinet

Marcus Rojas

tuba

Dylan van der Schyff

drums

Peggy Lee (cellist)

cello

Album information

Title: Mountain Passages | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Greenleaf Music

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