Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra: Conspiracy

While listening to Conspiracy, German-born composer-arranger Tobias Hoffmann's second album, the thought arose that "Stan Kenton would have loved this." Like Kenton, Hoffmann is an explorer who approaches music from a cerebral point of view but never overlooks the need to swing and to keep an audience engaged by varying the tone, tempo and color of his orchestrations. Several of Hoffmann's compositions, in fact, would have found a suitable home in the Kenton orchestra's library, as they lay bare the influence of such legendary writers as Bill Russo, Gene Roland, Pete Rugolo, Johnny Richards, Hank Levy, Dee Barton and even, from time to time, Gerry Mulligan.

Having said that, it should be noted that Hoffman has his own singular voice, one that is well-suited to the contemporary scene, as it uses complex and sophisticated harmonies and rhythms in the service of music that is both resourceful and pleasing. That is evident throughout, but never more so than on Hoffmann's "Elegy" for unaccompanied horn section, the minor blues "Trailblazers" or the bright and swinging "Impostor Syndrome," whose up-tempo opening section gives way to a perceptive solo by pianist Philipp Nykrin before resuming its hurried pace.

Hoffmann's love for trombones comes to the fore on the last two numbers, "Who Knows Intro" and "Who Knows," the first showcasing trombonist Daniel Holzleitner, the second guitarist Vilkka Wahl, and both tunes the orchestra's superb trombone section (Holzleitner, Kasperi Sarikoski, Robert Bachner—who doubles on euphonium for an ardent solo on "Impostor Syndrome"—and bass trombonist Johannes Oppel). Hoffmann seldom uses more than one soloist per number; tenor saxophonist Robert Underkofler is featured on the opening "Conspiracy," alto saxophonist Andy Schofield on "December Song," flugelhornist Jakob Helling on "Awakening," alto sqxophonist Patrick Dunst on "Relentless," trumpeter Simon Plötzeneder on "Renegade."

The exceptions are "Trailblazers," on which Sarikoski and baritone saxophonist Jonas Brinckmann share the space, and "Impostor Syndrome," whose soloists are Bachner, Nykrin and tenor saxophonist Martin Harms. "Conspiracy" is dense and dark, "December Song" relaxed and light-hearted, "Awakening" slow and somber, "Relentless" earnest and powerful, "Renegade" somewhat nebulous yet by and large persuasive. Taken together, they present a luminous snapshot of Hoffmann's exceptional talents as a composer and arranger. Conspiracy has much to admire and recommend, and portends even greater steps forward in the future.