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Mark Masters Ensemble: Porgy & Bess Redefined!
ByHow do you improve a piece of art such as Porgy & Bess? It's always stood as an emotional source of pride for the jazz world.
Masters honors the composer and those who have worked wonders with the opera throughout the Twentieth Century by setting the stage for his soloists and turning them loose. Tim Hagans and Billy Harper in particular step up to the bar and release their personal feelings on the music without distraction. The orchestra supports them confidently and adds cohesive interplay. The music has been arranged to suit George Gershwin's original plans.
History parades before your eyes and ears as Masters' powerful ensemble recalls timeless themes such as "It Ain't Necessarily So," "A Woman is a Sometime Thing," and "Summertime" with originality and allegiance.
Don Shelton's warm alto flute and Gary Smulyan's mellow baritone saxophone croon casually on "I Loves You, Porgy" with hearts laid bare. A big band sound dominates "It Ain't Necessarily So" with shrieking power. Hagans and Harper give "Clara, Clara" a moody echo, while "A Red Headed Woman" swings nonchalantly as if Henry Mancini had dreamed her up for a contemporary detective story. The project ends with a stirring arrangement of "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York," and everyone hops aboard for a powerful send-off.
Highly recommended, Mark Masters' latest project honors this timeless jazz opera and its composer through musical excellence and a strikingly creative spirit.
Track Listing
Introduction; Summertime; A Woman is a Sometime Thing; Gone, Gone, Gone; My Man's Gone Now; It Ain't Necessarily So; Here Come Da Honey Man; I Loves You Porgy; A Red Headed WOman; Clara Clara; There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York
Personnel
Mark Masters Ensemble
band / ensemble / orchestraBilly Harper (tenor saxophone), Tim Hagans (trumpet), Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone), Dave Woodley (trombone), Cecilia Coleman (piano), Ray Drummond (bass), Joe La Barbera (drums), Don Shelton (alto flute, soprano and tenor saxophones), John Riley (bassoon, tenor saxophone), Stephanie O
Album information
Title: Porgy & Bess Redefined! | Year Released: 2005
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About Mark Masters Ensemble
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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