Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jamie Baum: Moving Forward, Standing Still

137

Jamie Baum: Moving Forward, Standing Still

By

Sign in to view read count
Jamie Baum: Moving Forward, Standing Still
Moving Forward, Standing Still doesn't sound as though it's led by a flautist, in spite of the fact that flautist Jamie Baum has allowed herself and her instrument their fair share of solo time. She's also given her front line cohorts their share, too, in addition to writing in a good deal of multi-horn harmony and ensemble interplay, on a set that sounds like the work of an artist who has put her main focus in the arranger/composer field, with intriguing results.

Baum's septet features an unusual front line sound—flute/trumpet/alto sax and French horn, with the occasional bass clarinet blowing in. The group paints its sound with an interesting spectrum of hues on a set that owes as much to the influences of modern classical sounds—Stravinsky, Bartok, and Ives—as it does to jazz.

Many of the pieces have a dark tint to them, brooding atmospheres. The opener, "All Roads Lead to You," has the classical tinge—and no wonder: the "You" in the title refers to perhaps Baum's major influence, Igor Stravinsky. And "Bar Talk" references—of course—Bartok.

The mood brightens with the first section of "Medley: From Scratch (Trilok Gurtu)/Primordial Prelude," bringing in a sort of funk groove beneath the two-brass/two-reed harmony, before the tune morphs into a wash of swirling, murky greys.

I've found Moving Forward, Standing Still impossible to listen to casually, in spite of the richness and beauty of the sound; there's too much interesting stuff going on at different levels in the septet arrangements. This is a set that repays you for your full attention.

Visit Jamie Baum at www.jamiebaum.com .

Track Listing

All Roads Lead to You, Spring Rounds, In the Journey, Clarity, Medley: From Scratch/Primoridal Prelude,South Rim, Central Park, Bar Talk, Spring, Rivington Street Blues

Personnel

Jamie Baum—flute and alto flute; Ralph Alessi—trumpet, flugelhorn; Doug Yates—alto saxophone and bass clarinet; Tom Varner—French horn; George Colligan—piano; Drew Gress—bass; Jeff Hirshfield—drums

Album information

Title: Moving Forward, Standing Still | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: OmniTone

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.