Home »
Jazz Articles » Album Review » Martial Solal Dodecaband: Martial Solal Dodecaband Plays Ellington
Martial Solal Dodecaband: Martial Solal Dodecaband Plays Ellington
A decidedly different chamber jazz kind of tribute to Duke Ellington comes from the creative mind of Paris-based Martial Solal. With a sound like that of Miles Davis' mid-century nonet, the pianist weaves tuba, baritone saxophone, rhythm, brass and woodwinds into a big band sound with suite-like implications. Following the cool school approach, Solal leaves out some of the swing, and supplies, instead, a creative manuscript that flows in many directions at once. Muted trumpets, droning bottom voices, splashes of drum set textures, and the leader's inspired piano merge with snippets of melody from each of the upper voices. A silky soprano saxophone, clarion trumpet, conversational trombone and percussive piano take turns with these familiar melodies. But, for the most part, Solal's arrangements employ one twist and turn after another in unexpected directions. Monk meets Ellington, so to speak, in a creative environment where no linear rules apply. Harmony and applicable rhythms follow tradition without breaking down. But no rhythm goes on undisturbed for more than one brief chorus at a time. Solal has arranged these classic tunes as if they were all a part of one ever-changing suite. Like a bee or hummingbird who moves repeatedly from one flower to the next one, Martial Solal prefers to move his Dodecaband in new and multiple directions before tradition catches up with him.
Track Listing
Satin Doll. Caravan. In a Sentimental Mood. It Don't Mean a Thing. Take the 'A' Train. Medley: Cotton Tail; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Things Ain't What They Used to Be; Take the 'A' Train; Prelude to a Kiss; Sophisticated Lady; I Got It Bad; Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me.
Personnel
Martial Solal: piano, arranger; Tony Russo: trumpet; Roger Guerin: trumpet; Eric LeLann: trumpet; Denis LeLoup: trombone; Jacques Bolognesi: trombone; Didier Havet: tuba; Jean-Louis Chautemps: reeds; Sylvain Beuf: reeds; Jean-Pierre Solves; reeds; Patrice Caratini: bass; Francois Merville: drums; Umberto Pagini: drums.
Album information
Title: Martial Solal Dodecaband Plays Ellington
| Year Released: 2001
| Record Label: Dreyfus Records
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About 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 make 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.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to
future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.