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Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra: Sacred Music of Duke Ellington
ByOne of the more striking aspects of this "sacred music is how consistently it swings. That's a tribute to not only Ellington's superlative compositional skills, but also the SRJO and its company of splendid section players and soloists, not to mention the impressive guest artists. Caddell is first up, singing brilliantly on "In the Beginning God, as does Daniels on the spirited "Tell Me It's the Truth. After an instrumental version of "Come Sunday," Gil Seeley guides the Repertory Singers through the inspiring eight-part "Freedom Suite ; Brockman's gossamer alto enhances the lovely "T.G.T.T. (Too Good to Title); and Caddell and Daniels return to close the first disc with the lively, sermonizing "Don't Get Down on Your Knees and Pray (Until You Have Forgiven Everyone).
Brad Smith's wah-wah trumpet leads Caddell, the chorus and orchestra into the groovy "Ninety-Nine Percent, which opens the second disc. "The Lord's Prayer is presented twice, in an a cappella reading by the Repertory Singers and a gospel version by Eskridge, following her vocal on the stately "Heaven. Pianist Larry Fuller is the headliner on the meditative "Reflections in D, dancer Hickey on the dynamic "David Danced Before the Lord with All His Might, Daniels on an ardent second version of the prayerful "Come Sunday. Eskridge, Hickey and the chorus join the orchestra on the soulful finale, "Praise God and Dance.
Sacred music, yes, and terrific jazz as well, laden with sharp ensemble passages, sparkling solos and powerful turns by the various guest artists. Kudos to the SRJO and everyone who designed these marvelous concerts.
Track Listing
Disc 1: In the Beginning God; Tell Me It
Personnel
Clarence Acox, Michael Brockman: co-directors; Dennis Haldane, Jay Thomas, Brad Smith, Thomas Marriott, Ed Lee (3), Floyd Standifer (13), Vern Sielert (3): trumpet; Michael Brockman: alto, soprano saxophone; Mark Taylor: alto saxophone; Dan Wickham: alto saxophone, clarinet; Hadley Caliman, Travis Ranney, Don Lanphere (13), Dan Greenblatt (13): tenor saxophone; Bill Ramsay: baritone saxophone; Bill Anthony, Scott Brown, Dan Marcus, Gary Shutes (3): trombone; David Bentley: bass trombone; Larry Fuller, Marc Seales (13): piano; Phil Sparks: bass; Clarence Acox: drums; Dee Daniels, Nichol Eskridge, James Caddell: vocal soloists; Tim Hickey: tap dancer; Oregon Repertory Singers, Gil Seeley, conductor.
Album information
Title: Sacred Music of Duke Ellington | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Origin Records
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