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The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: Can I Persuade You?
ByVanguard, which began life in 1966 as the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, plays them with dexterity and warmth, as it does everything else on this consistently dynamic studio date. In other words, the VJO continues to become ever more impressive as it carries forward the remarkable legacy of its fallen leaders. Personnelwise, Vanguard is as wellendowed as any band one can name, and here it has amplified its conspicuous prowess with compositions and arrangements that are as pleasing to the ears as they are inspiring to the heart, from Jimmy Giuffre's darting "Dragon Fly" to Bill Holman's assertive arrangement of "Just Friends." Even with topnotch soloists in almost every chair, the VJO keeps the focus on the ensemble as a whole, which is as it should be. Usually, one or two players are featured and given ample room to stretch. Bassist Dennis Irwin and pianist Jim McNeely are the principals on Bob Mintzer's bouncy calypso, "Antigua," trumpeter Scott Wendholt on "A Simple Wish," baritone Gary Smulyan and trombonist John Mosca on Garnett Brown's charming outoftempo arrangement of Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," alto Dick Oatts on "Can I Persuade You."
The exceptions are "Just Friends" (solos by Smulyan, Oatts, alto Billy Drewes, tenors Ralph Lalama and Rich Perry, drummer John Riley); "Dragon Fly" (Perry, Irwin, McNeely, Wendholt); Wayne Shorter's energetic "ESP" (Wendholt, Oatts, Riley) and Brown's boisterous "Bachafillen" (Drewes, Lalama, trombonist Luis Bonilla). McNeely, Irwin and Riley comprise an indefatigable rhythm section that gives every soloist a suitable comfort zone and sees to it that the orchestra never stops swinging.
Once the last note had been played and the curtain drawn, this reviewer was persuaded that Can I Persuade You? represents, in sum, the VJO's best recorded work to date.
Track Listing
Dragon Fly; Antigua; A Simple Wish; ESP; Sophisticated Lady; Bachafillen; Can I Persuade You; Just Friends
Personnel
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestraEarl Gardner, Joe Mosello, Glenn Drewes, Scott Wendholt -Trumpet; John Mosca , Luis Bonilla, Jason Jackson, Douglas Purviance -Trombone; Dick Oatts -Alto & Soprano Sax/Flute; Billy Drewes -Alto & Soprano Sax/flute/clarinet; Rich Perry -Tenor Sax/Flute; Ralph Lalama -Tenor Sax/Flute/Clarinet; Gary Smulyan/Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax; Jim McNeely -Piano; John Riley -Drums; Dennis Irwin -Bass; Daduka da Fonseca -Brazilian Percussion; Peter Gordon -French Horn
Album information
Title: Can I Persuade You? | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Planet Arts Records
Comments
About Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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