Home » Jazz Articles » The Mark Masters Ensemble: Blue Skylight

The Mark Masters Ensemble: Blue Skylight

By Dan McClenaghan
March 5, 2017
Sign in to view read count

The Mark Masters Ensemble: Blue Skylight

Mark Masters has made his name in the banderleader/arranger arena fronting The Mark Master Ensemble, in various forms, with personal tributes to past masters: saxophonist Dewey Redman, Duke Ellington, trumpeter Clifford Brown, and present master, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, who played as the featured artist on One Day With Lee (Capri Records (2000). These are all top notch recordings, affording Masters the opportunity to craft his own beguiling interpretations of the artistries of recognized giants of jazz.

With Blue Skylight he embraces two icons: baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and bandleader/composer/arranger Charles Mingus.

The ensemble alternates between Mingus and Mulligan tunes from the more obscure side of their songbooks, laying them down not so much in the spirits of the personalities of the protagonists—mercurial for Mingus; laid back and cool for Mulligan—but rather as redefinitions of the frameworks, with a big dose of Masters' own spirit. The Mulligan pieces feature a four reed front line and a rhythm section. The Mingus compositions drops two reeds and adds a trumpet and a trombone.

In Ellington-ian fashion, Master writes for his players. Alto saxophonist Gary Foster has probably the highest profile of the Mulligan tune's front-liners. He is joined by Jerry Pinter on tenor and soprano saxophones, Gene Cipriano on tenor and Adam Schroeder on baritone sax. On the Mingus tunes, Cipriano and Schroeder sit out, and trumpeter Ron Stout and trombonist Les Benedict sit in.

Beginning with "Monk, Bunk and Visa Versa," a tune that appeared on Mingus' Epitaph (Sony Records, 1990), the sound is packed with swirling, diaphanous, harmonies and inspired soloing all around. And the swing is unrelenting. It is the quality—in conjunction with Masters' superb arrangements—of a foundation laid by a smooth, in-the groove rhythm section perfection that gives the set such a continuity of focus. A tip of the hats for this to pianist Ed Czach, drummer Kendall Kay, and Putter Smith. And two more hat tips to the veteran horn guys, and to Mark Masters for his terrific charts.

Track Listing

Monk, Bunk and Visa Versa; Out Back of the Barn; So Long Eric; Wallflower; Peggy's Blue Skylight; Strayhorn 2; Duke Ellington's Sound of Love; Apple Core; Eclipse; Birds of a Feather; Motel.

Personnel

Gary Foster: alto saxophone; Jerry Pinter: tenor and soprano saxophones; Gene Cipriano: tenor saxophone (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11); Adam Schroeder: baritone saxophone (2; 4; 6; 8; 10, 11); Ron Stout: trumpet (1, 3, 5, 7, 9); Les Benedict: trombone (1,3,5,7,9); Ed Czach: piano; Putter Smith: bass; Kendall Kay: drums.

Album information

Title: Blue Skylight | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Capri Records

Post a comment about this album

FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

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.

WE NEED YOUR 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.