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Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy: United Front: Brass Ecstasy At Newport
Recorded at the 2010 Newport Jazz Festival, United Front retains the original lineup of Brass Ecstasy, and the music sizzles from the nostalgic opener, "Spirit Moves," which acts as a processional, entering quietly as if the brass band was coming from down the street. Soon it's right there at the doorstep, and everyone is running to catch up with the parade.
This unique lineup matches the marching sounds of trumpet, tuba, and trombone with of Nasheet Waits' full drum kit, while Vincent Chancey's French horn balances the outside parade with the inside chamber, and does so nicely. Waits is more than a timekeeper, he's the turbo engine, with Chancey providing the polishing agent to the sound. On "Rava," a dedication to Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava, Douglas unfolds the tune with a soulful introduction, before delivering some musical acrobatics over the ever churning harmonies of Chancey and tubaist Marcus Rojas. Trombonist Luis Bonilla then solos over Waits' pulse, chasing some mystical demon.
The band plays all Douglas' originals, except for Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," with Douglas' muted trumpet of Douglas a bit like 1957-era Miles Davis. When Rojas takes a solo, he blows his tuba by speaking/singing into his mouthpiece to the delight of the crowd. "United Front" crackles with energy, as does the closer, "Bowie," which mixes multiple styles into a tapestry of sound, skillfully woven into a party quilt.
Track Listing
Spirit Moves; Rava; Fats; I'm So Lonely I Could Cry; United Front; Bowie.
Personnel
Dave Douglas
trumpetDave Douglas: trumpet; Vincent Chancey: French horn; Luis Bonilla: trombone; Marcus Rojas: tuba; Nasheet Waits: drums.
Album information
Title: United Front: Brass Ecstasy At Newport | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Greenleaf Music
About Dave Douglas
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