Jazz Articles about John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble
About John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble
Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar ArtistsJohn Hollenbeck Large Ensemble: A Blessing

by John Kelman
One clear benefit of the global community we live in, with its inherently broad reach, is that many artists have developed into stylistic integrators. On a smaller scale, even people who live within the boundaries of the United States can experience greater artistic diversity than ever before. Only a century ago, people living in small rural towns would have no way of knowing what kind of music was developing in larger urban centres; now, with the broad reach of the ...
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by Dan McClenaghan
The opening title tune on the John Hollenbeck Larger Ensemble's A Blessing brings Maria Schneider's masterpiece Concert in the Garden to mind, with its fluid momentum and swirling harmonies. The sixteen-minute song, as well as the rest of the tunes on the disc, are Hollenbeck originals; and while the Schneider influence is apparent--both Schneider and Hollenbeck bear the imprint of Bob Brookmeyer--a good deal of originality and idiosyncratic daring comes into play on A Blessing.Drummer/composer Hollenbeck makes remarkable ...
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by Paul Olson
Jazz and contemporary composition, playfulness and prayer, intensity and sweetness: in the musical world of composer/percussionist John Hollenbeck and on the brand new CD by his Large Ensemble, A Blessing, all these elements mingle. Fans of Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet or any of his other groups (Quartet Lucy, Bleckmann/Hollenbeck Duo) will be prepared for just how well those ingredients mix, but newcomers to his work may be in for a pleasant surprise. This is ambitious, modern big band music, brilliantly arranged ...
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