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National Jazz Orchestra
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - So Far, So Good…with More On The Way
Source:
Michael S. Clark
An especially creative jazz ensemble like the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) seldom has time to look back or dwell too long on past achievements. The last couple of years, however, have been marked by several milestone events with even more still to come. In fact, the band has been so busy with performing, recording and overseas commitments that we almost forgot to tell the world about our many diverse projects. The previous 20 months or so have seen the ...
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A New Chapter In Jazz from The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra
Source:
Michael S. Clark
The history of jazz is littered with tales of unsung heroes and overlooked genius. It could be argued that the trumpeter and composer, the late Kenny Wheeler, was one such musician. He moved almost invisibly through the mainstream milieu, yet, he was universally admired by his peers for his important contributions to jazz composition. Many such personalities are dedicated to illuminating the deeper corners of the soul through emotive creativity, often revealing something autobiographical in their music. The SNJO is, ...
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Power, Passion and Majesty - Beauty and the Beast - The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) directed by Tommy Smith with special guest Bill Evans (soprano and tenor saxophone)
Source:
All About Jazz
CD release date October 28, 2016 on Spartacus Records Tommy Smith originally wrote his epic suite Beauty and the Beast specifically for American saxophonist Dave Liebman, a fearsome player with a generous heart. This fabulous live recording with the superbly expressive Bill Evans and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra fully captures the colossal scale of the work, and marks the towering improvisational accomplishments of modern jazz musicians hitting peak form. Bill Evans studied under Liebman, but they have more in ...
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Scottish National Jazz Orchestra & Makoto Ozone Vividly Re-imagine Mozart’s "Jeunehomme"
Source:
Michael S. Clark
An air of great anticipation surrounded the premiere in Edinburgh of Makoto Ozone’s very special arrangement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 9th Piano Concerto K.271 for The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith. This universally popular work, known familiarly as Jeunehomme is here re-imagined by a daring soloist in Makoto Ozone, an exceptional big band in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO), and a courageous leader in director Tommy Smith. Mozart’s devotion to melody and solo virtuosity speak to ...
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The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Directed By Tommy Smith Submits "American Adventure" CD To The 57th Grammys
Source:
Michael S. Clark
In the summer of 2013, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra were joined at Avatar Studios in New York City by Kurt Elling, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Bill Evans, Joe Locke, Donny McCaslin, Clarence Penn, Michael Dease and Joel Frahm to capture some great performances on American Adventure. Following universal praise, the CD has now been submitted it for consideration at the 57th Recording Academy Awards. This is a first for Scottish jazz from an orchestra that is barely ...
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Gary Burton Quartet + Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - London Jazz Festival
Source:
The Ring Modulator by Adrian Stevenson
Gary Burton Quartet + Scottish National Jazz OrchestraLondon Jazz Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London. 17th November 2010 Following a warm up week in New York, tonight's concert was the first major outing for Gary Burton's new quartet, and compelling stuff it was too, hitting the pocket from the off. As early as the second tune, 'Last Snow,' the band already has us with some deep sensitive playing off the back of its gorgeous melody. Guitarist Julian Lage immediately impressed, ...
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