Pete McGuinness: Mixed Bag

With Mixed Bag, Pete McGuinness once again affirms his place among the elite of modern big band composers and arrangers, presenting a luminous tapestry of jazz idioms that ranges from the exuberantly traditional to the adventurously modern. As the title suggests, the album is a delightful potpourri. However, rather than feeling scattered or unfocused, McGuinness weaves his eclectic inclinations into a coherent and emotionally engaging statement. He brings to bear not only the encyclopedic command of a seasoned jazz craftsman but also the eager curiosity of an artist determined to explore new terrain.

McGuinness's signature voice as an arranger and composer is evident on every track, delivered by an ensemble that features some of the most in-demand and virtuosic musicians on the New York jazz, studio, and Broadway scenes. The opener is a Cole Porter number, "From This Moment On." The piece bubbles with joie de vivre, propelled by drummer Scott Neumann, including a fiery solo from altoist Dave Pietro. The vocal is provided by McGuinness, showcasing his agile scatting that recalls the best of jazz vocal tradition. Trumpeter Chris Rogers composed "Rebecca," and the band offers it with a boisterous Brazilian feel. Rogers takes the solo honors with a warm and burnished tone, revealing a sensitivity that aligns with the number's emotional landscape. When the ensemble is fully engaged, the arrangement grows in colour and shape.

The next three tracks are all McGuinness compositions: "The Dark Hours," "Lilac Blues," and "Down The Rabbit Hole." Each of these pieces features a compelling narrative, exquisite orchestrations, and velvety voicings that stretch and simmer like twilight shadows. The soloists, whether tenor saxophonists Tom Christensen and Rod Middleton or pianist Mike Holober confirm their musicality and inventiveness.

McGuinness' reinterpretation of several jazz staples is also impressive and features "Body And Soul," "Django," and "'Round Midnight." The initial number receives a sumptuous treatment. The familiar melody is stretched and suspended in mid-air, embroidered with harmonic nuance and voiced with loving care. The heartfelt flugelhorn solo is by Hollis "Bud" Burridge . The John Lewis elegy "Django" is next, propelled by a samba groove. Alto saxophonist Mark Phaneuf delivers his solo with unhurried grace as the band executes McGuinness's chart with deep sensitivity and bold vision. And finally, the Thelonious Monk classic, "'Round Midnight," where McGuinness wisely retains the number's haunting core but allows the band to navigate its dusky corners with a noir sensibility made all the more powerful by the growly baritone saxophone of Dave Riekenberg.

As a vocalist McGuinness surprises and delights. On the Johnny Mandel composition "Where Do You Start?," which is the closing track, his vocal performance is warm, emotionally transparent, and imbued with understated gravitas. His rendition is beautifully complemented by the masterful touch of guest pianist Bill Charlap, whose elegance and restraint are perfectly matched to the song's reflective mood. What elevates the rendition even further is McGuinness's inspired decision to frame the piece with a lush 16-piece string section, arranged with deep sensitivity and respect for the song's emotional weight. In all, the album is a masterful, multifaceted statement from a composer/arranger at the height of his powers.