Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Maria Schneider Orchestra: The Thompson Fields

32

Maria Schneider Orchestra: The Thompson Fields

By

Sign in to view read count
Maria Schneider Orchestra: The Thompson Fields
At the time Maria Schneider released Evanescence (Enja, 1994), big band jazz—especially in the US—was overly predictable and indecisively hanging on like ballroom music in a ghost town. Schneider, while embracing the best practices of earlier legendary big band leaders and her mentors, Gil Evans and Bob Brookmeyer, had added unconventional elements to her own compositions. With each release she has become more of an avant-garde impressionist capturing the beauty and sadness of a nomadic soul wandering through what was once home.

Along with a GRAMMY for Best Classical Contemporary Composition, Schneider seems to have walked away from Winter Morning Walks (ArtistShare, 2013) carrying with her a deeper appreciation for classical music. In that regard The Thompson Fields has a broader scope and a more purely orchestral feel than Schneider's last MSO release, Sky Blue (ArtistShare, 2007). Where threads of melodies were often created and expertly knitted together on the previous release, The Thompson Fields centers more on longer, fluent refrains. Though the themes may be extended and unhurried they still communicate Schneider's narratives on ruminating conflict and wistfulness.

Clarinetist Scott Robinson—augmented by Frank Kimbrough's piano—bring to life the opening "Walking by Flashlight." The latter stages of "The Monarch and the Milkweed" are gently held together by Lage Lund's guitar as he stands up to the more powerful horns of Marshall Gilkes and Greg Gisbert keeping the whole piece floating as so many of Schneider's compositions do. "Arbiters of Evolution" settles on flight, a favorite subject of Schneider's and opening solo space for Robinson (now on baritone sax) and the superb Donny McCaslin on tenor. The very personal title track carries Minnesota winds over the farm fields of Schneider's youth while three of the remaining four compositions are dedications. "Home," "A Potter's Song" and "Lembranca" are tributes to Newport Jazz Festival founder, George Wein, the late Laurie Frink of Schneider's orchestra and Brazilian musician Paulo Moura, respectively.

There are many fine solos throughout The Thompson Fields as one would expect. Saxophonists Rich Perry and Steve Wilson deliver stand out performances as does accordionist Gary Versace on "A Potter's Song." This album—more than any of Schneider's work—generates especially lucid emotions and should appeal to listeners across a relatively broad audience even outside of the jazz world. We can only hope that the Maria Schneider Orchestra continues to be as productive and inventive as it has been for the past twenty years.

Track Listing

Walking By Flashlight; The Monarch And The Milkweed; Arbiters Of Evolution; The Thompson Fields; Home; Nimbus; A Potter's Song; Lembranca.

Personnel

Maria Schneider
composer / conductor

Steve Wilson: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute, alto flute; Dave Pietro: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo; Rich Perry: tenor saxophone; Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Scott Robinson: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, alto clarinet, clarinet; Tony Kadleck: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Greg Gisbert: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Augie Haas: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Mike Rodriguez: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Keith O'Quinn,: trombone; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Marshall Gilkes: trombone; George Flynn: bass trombone; Gary Versace: accordion; Lage Lund: guitar; Frank Kimbrough: piano; Rogerio Boccato: percussion (8); Clarence Penn: drums; Jay Anderson: bass.

Album information

Title: The Thompson Fields | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: ArtistShare

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.