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Resonance Big Band: Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson
ByTwo possible mistakes were avoided. For the most part, standards readily identified with Peterson's regular repertoire were bypassed in favor of less frequently explored pieces. Also, Petrescu's technique is similar to Peterson's but he doesn't attempt to recreate the master's touch, though he enjoys his solo romp through the pianist's "A Little Jazz Exercise."
A spry chart of Ray Brown's "Waltzing is Hip" (erroneously credited to Peterson) alternates the focus between Petrescu and the band, with a few breaks for drummer Joe La Barbera (of Bill Evans' final trio). Peterson's ballad "L'Impossible" is an overlooked gem from the mid '60s, featuring Petrescu's bluesy, intricate solo with the horns intermittently in the background. The medley of Peterson's gospel-flavored "Hymn to Freedom" and a swinging take of "John Brown's Body" (inspired by "The Battle Hymn of the Republic") find the band afire, with Oberg scatting in unison with his guitar on the latter. The musicians sizzle in the peppy interpretation of Oscar Pettiford's classic bop vehicle "Tricotism."
Arrangements are by Bill Cunliffe, Claus Ogerman and Kuno Schmid, who each conducted their respective charts, and a brief DVD documentary is included, providing some insight into the creative process. A follow-up recording is easily merited.
Track Listing
Waltzing is Hip; L'Impossible; Little Girl Blue; Down Here on the Ground; Medley: Hymn to Freedom/John Brown's Body; Sally's Tomato; Tricotism; Greensleeves; Bossa Beguine; West Side Story Medley; A Little Jazz Exercise.
Personnel
Resonance Big Band
band / ensemble / orchestraMarian Petrescu: piano; Andreas Oberg: electric guitar; David Stone: bass; Joe La Barbera: drums; Bob Sheppard: reeds/flutes; Steve Wilkerson: reeds/flutes; Brian Scanlon: reeds/flutes; Keith Fiddmont: reeds/flutes; Tom Peterson: reeds/flutes; Willie Murillo: trumpet/flugelhorn; Larry Lunetta: trumpet/flugelhorn; Bob Summers: trumpet/flugelhorn; Larry Hall: trumpet/flugelhorn; Andy Martin: trombone; Bob McChesney: trombone; Wendell Kelly; Bill Reichenbach: trombone, tuba; Pierre Paul: Cabasa; Bill Cunliffe: arranger, conductor; Kuno Schmid: arranger, conductor; Claus Ogerman: arranger, conductor; Peter Kent: strings; Giovanna Clayton: strings; Belinda Broughton: strings; Jessica Van Velzen: strings.
Album information
Title: Plays Tribute To Oscar Peterson | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Resonance Records
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About Resonance Big Band
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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