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New World Jazz Composers Octet: Breaking News
BySaxophonist and Berklee College professor Daniel Ian Smith founded the group in 2000 "in the spirit of the Mingus Jazz Workshop," specifically as a musical forum in which to feature works by Berklee jazz composers and other writers in the Boston area. The group opens up with two Nicholl compositions, the up-tempo sizzler "Poco Picasso" and the gorgeous ballad of "Wishful Thinking," featuring Salles on tenor, Platt's tasteful trumpet, pristine work from Ray, and a drum solo from Mark Walker.
Platt's title piece, a minor blues similar in texture to the hard bop styles of the past, includes more of the trumpeter's phrasings, as well as a hot Smith solo on baritone saxophone. Strong solo work from trumpeter Ken Cervenka and a lively tenor sax chase between Smith and Salles highlight Lowell's "Warp 7, Now!" as the group engages warp drive. The centerpiece of the album is Pease's "Trilogy" suite, dedicated to three of his favorite composers: the swinging "Thad's Pad," a tribute to Thad Jones; the melancholy "Strays," dedicated to Billy Strayhorn; and, ending with a bang and not a whimper, the burning tribute to Bill Holman, "Willis," complete with an array of solos from various members of the band.
With all the political, economic and social news making the front pages of the media each day, it's refreshing to hear some Breaking News that's truly pleasant for a change. Daniel Ian Smith's New World Jazz Composers Octet is a critically acclaimed, world-class ensemble, lending a bit of swing and swagger to new and innovative charts that, if not for this group, would never be heard.
Track Listing
Poco Picasso; Wishful Thinking; Breaking News; Children's Waltz; Warp 7, Now!; Song Sung Long; Trilogy: Thad's Pad, Strays, Willis.
Personnel
New World Jazz Composers Octet
band / ensemble / orchestraDaniel Ian Smith: saxophones, flute; Ken Cervenka: trumpet, flugelhorn; Walter Platt: trumpet, flugelhorn; Tim Ray: piano; Keala Kaumeheiwa: acoustic bass; Ernesto Diaz: percussion; Felipe Salles: saxophones, flute; Mark Walker: drums; Catherine Hazel Smith: spoken word.
Album information
Title: Breaking News | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Big and Phat Jazz Productions
Comments
About New World Jazz Composers Octet
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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