The Sound of New York Jazz Underground

Members of the New Talent Jazz Orchestra gathered at the Systems Two Recording Studios in Brooklyn over four days in 2003, to lay down tracks for The Sound of New York Jazz Underground, a 2-CD set (see review). The idea first came from Pablo Ablanedo who thought of putting together an orchestra with musicians from the house of "New Talent. The idea germinated and grew and when the logistics were done, and the pieces fell into place, 47 musicians were on hand. It was the perfect happening for Fresh Sound Records and their tenth anniversary. Jordi Pujol of Fresh Sound Records then mooted the idea of a double CD with one disc comprising originals, and the other of arrangements.

The orchestra is conducted by Magali Souriau, Pablo Ablanedo, Frank Carlberg, Andrew Rathbun, Taylor Haskins, Guillermo Klein, Jason Lindner and Avi Lebovich. Each speaks of the music chosen, but Souriau comes off as the most interesting. She adds to the usual with information about how she came into jazz, and adds to the ordinary.

The DVD shows the musicians rehearsing, having fun doing so, and then playing the music. The tracks are not complete versions, but the segments give an idea of the direction the music takes. The orchestrations are tight, yet flow with a lithe grace. If there is one performer who comes across strongly, given the time devoted to her, it is singer Claudia Acuña, who captivates with her hypnotic voice.

Track Listing: CD 1 (originals): A Meditation On Two Chords; Heaven; Petite Promenade; Nine; Jumbo-Buen Dia Dia; Escondido; El Acecho; Noosh. CD2 (arrangements): Me Voy Quedando; Nannou; Silhouettes; Witch Hunt; Nefertiti; Ahmad Ravel-Au Clair De La Lune; I Got Rhythm; Giant Steps.

Personnel: Taylor Haskins, Diego Urcola, Richard Nant - trumpet, fluggelhorn; Phil Grenadier, Avishai Cohen, Russ Johnson - trumpet; Avi Lebovich, Sandro Tomasi, Alan Ferber, Max Siegel, Dana Leong - trombone; Jamie Baum, Helen Richman - flute; Anat Cohen, Miguel Zenon, Jaleel Shaw, Chris Cheek, Jason Hunter, Andrew Rathbun, Bill McHenry, Marcus Strickland, Eli Degibri, Jimmy Greene, Adam Kolker, Chris Karlic, Frank Basile - saxophones; Magali Souriau, Frank Carlberg, Aaron Goldberg - piano; Jason Lindner, Guillermo Klein - piano, Fender Rhodes; Jorge Rossy - Fender Rhodes; Ben Monder - electric guitar; Matt Pavolka, Matt Penman, John Hebert - doublebass; Brandon Owens, Fernando Huergo - electric bass; Jeff Hirshfield, Mark Ferber - drums; Jeff Ballard, Jorge Rossy - drums and percussion; Franco Pinna - drums and bombo leg?ero; Daniel Freedman - percussion; Claudia Acuña, Christine Correa, Chiara Civello - vocals.

Given that this is called The Sound of New York Underground, there are several shots of trains as well as of New York that takes in Manhattan and Queens and a lot more interesting glimpses of the metropolis.

This is a two sided DVD, with NTSC and PAL versions.

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