Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Marty Ehrlich: The Long View

355

Marty Ehrlich: The Long View

By

Sign in to view read count
Marty Ehrlich: The Long View
Jazz needs composers like Marty Ehrlich. Like his mentor Julius Hemphill, Ehrlich, while proficient in the more conventional small group settings, envisions something greater, hearing music of multiple textures, moods, origins and voicings. Divided into six movements and a postlude, The Long View was originally conceived as aural accompaniment to an exhibition of paintings by Oliver Jackson (another Hemphill cohort). That this work stands on its own is implicit.

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.

Visit Justin Time on the web.

Track Listing

1. The Long View: Movement I (12:07); 2. The Long View: Movement II (12:12); 3. The Long View: Movement III (8: 49); 4. The Long View: Movement IV (8:52); 5. The Long View: Movement V (8:29); 6. The Long View: Movement VI (10:48); 7. The Long View: Postlude (2:25).

Personnel

Marty Ehrlich
woodwinds

Marty Ehrlich: Flute, Bass Clarinet, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Saxophones; Mark Dresser: Bass; Mark Helias: Bass, Conductor; Andy Laster: Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone; Sam Furnace Flute, Alto Saxophone; Wayne Horvitz: Piano; Ray Anderson: Trombone; Clark Gayton: Trombone; Eddie Allen: Trumpet; James Zollar: Trumpet; Marcus Rojas: Tuba; Mark Feldman: Violin; Eddie Bobe: Bongos, Cowbell; Erik Friedlander: Cello; Robert DeBellis: Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet; J.D. Parran: Contrabass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone; Pheeroan akLaff: Drums; Bobby Previte: Drums, Bass Drums, Tambourine; Michael Sarin: Drums; John Clark: Horn; Ralph Farris: Viola; Ned Rothenberg: Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone.

Album information

Title: The Long View | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Unknown label

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.