Jazz / Orchestral Jazz
Recorded: Nov 1, 1998-Jun 24, 2001
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra
REEDS
Michael Brockman, lead alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet
Don Lanphere, tenor sax
Bill Ramsay, baritone sax
Mark Taylor, alto sax
Dan Greenblatt, tenor sax
Dan Wickham, clarinet, baritone sax
Andrew Glynn, tenor sax, alto sax
Rob Davis, tenor sax
Tina Richerson, alto sax
Carl Staaf, baritone sax
TROMBONES/LOW BRASS
Bill Anthony, lead trombone
Scott Brown, trombone
Dan Marcus, trombone, tuba
David Bentley, bass trombone
David Marriott, Jr., trombone
Greg Schroeder, bass trombone
TRUMPETS
Dennis Haldane, lead trumpet
Floyd Standifer, trumpet
Jay Thomas, trumpet
Brad Smith, trumpet
Thomas Marriott, trumpet
Alan Keith, trumpet
RHYTHM
Clarence Acox, drums
Phil Sparks, bass
Marc Seales, piano
Buddy Catlett, bass
Reuel Lubag, piano
Robin Kutz, guitar
The jazz scene in Seattle has a richness and depth that is rare. Not only is there a wealth of fine musicians who have gained recognition throughout the nation and around the globe, but also a lineage of jazz writers and players that began in the 1920s, and reached a golden age in the 1940s when Seattle enjoyed a flowering of jazz culture centered around the clubs and dance halls of Jackson Street. This period produced such greats as Ray Charles, Ernestine Anderson, Dick Wilson, Quincy Jones and Buddy Catlett. Since then, the torch has consistently been passed. Sixty years later, there is still a major jazz scene, supported by many clubs, large, enthusiastic audiences, and populated by both veteran and young players and writers who carry on Seattle’s own, unique jazz tradition.
The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) is an award-winning, 17-piece big band comprised of many of the region’s leading jazz soloists and band leaders. The SRJO is the Northwest’s only permanent ensemble dedicated to the accurate and historically observant performance of the great works of big band jazz. Drummer Clarence Acox, nationally recognized director of bands at Seattle’s Garfield High School, and saxophonist/arranger Michael Brockman, long-time faculty member at the University of Washington School of Music, founded the SRJO in 1995. As early as 1988, however, many of the players had assembled for a now-annual concert of the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington, presented by Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Society. A 1992 "Evening of Ellington" program, presented by Brockman at the University of Washington’s Meany Theater, brought together players not normally included in the sacred concerts, and featured new transcriptions by Brockman of classic Ellingtonia.
Outside of New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, there are few areas, if any, that have the depth and breadth of talent to support a major repertory orchestra. And perhaps even with these, the major markets might have a problem putting together a permanently standing aggregation which meets the definition of repertory in the manner that the rotating 17-member Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra has done since their inception in 1995. According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, repertory refers to "a company that presents several different plays, opera, or [musical] pieces usually alternatively in the course of a season." This is precisely what is presented on this CD. There are pieces played and/or written by such jazz giants as Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, and Charles Mingus played by the orchestra live from 1997 though 2001. But the favorites are Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, who are represented by four items. Not only are these two favored, but the concept that the orchestra is the instrument developed by Ellington is clearly the preference of the orchestra's co-directors, Clarence Acox and Michael Brockman. But like Ellington's bands, there is plenty of room for solos. And what a crew to pick from. There's the veteran saxman Don Lanphere, top-ranked pianist Marc Seales, multi-virtuoso Jay Thomas, alto sax player Mark Taylor, David Marriott Jr. on trombone, and Floyd Standifer on trumpet. The band is driven by Acox on drums and they show no mercy on such cuts as "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Most of these players have CDs of their own on the market. The group not only can swing, but oozes sophistication and elegance on "Blue and Sentimental," which features a bluesy clarinet by Dan Wickham. All around good stuff; this CD is highly recommended.
---Dave Nathan, allmusic |
