Jazz / Progressive Big Band
Recorded: Oct 2004-Apr 2005
Bob Mintzer and his big band return to the MCG Jazz label to record Old School, New Lessons, a contemporary take on traditional big band jazz. The recording features original Mintzer compositions including, "Not Quite Yet" and "Mosiac" with the Yellowjackets as well as fascinating new arrangements of jazz favorites such as "My One and Only Love" and John Coltrane's "Resolution"-both featuring guest vocalist Kurt Elling.
Old School, New Lessons marries traditional big band jazz elements with innovative techniques and new arrangements. Bob explains his choices behind this recording: "I came up in New York in the 1960s. At that time young people were frowning upon traditional values, and searching with a vengeance for something new. The same held true in music and art. As musicians we aspired to create music in the moment, free of any categorization or preconceptions, based on what we were thinking and feeling at the time. We were definitely going for it, full out! With this spirit, I have embarked on becoming a big band composer and facilitator."
"As I began to age and mature as a musician," Mintzer continues, "I came to realize that innovation is not necessarily a pre-meditated activity, but, rather, an off-shoot of being active as a player and band leader for many years, and having a solid understanding of a chronology of events in the music. To acknowledge the tradition and enhance that tradition with new and unusual elements has been my quest for the last 30 years. "Old school" is definitely in play here. I spent too many years with people like Buddy Rich, Thad Jones and Mel, Lewis, Sam Jones, Jaco Pastorius, and Tito Puente, to stray real far from my past. However we've laid some new lessons on this concept through sheer perseverance as an ensemble, the addition of Kurt Elling and the Yellowjackets to the project, and a commitment towards stretching the envelope. Hopefully we've acknowledged the tradition on our way into new territory."
Kurt Elling is touring throughout the US and Canada during the early part of 2006. When Kurt is not on tour he performs at the Green Mill in Chicago on Wednesdays.
MCG Jazz is proud to be a part of the Yellowjackets 25th anniversary year. Look for their new CD/DVD release 25! coming this spring on Heads Up International.
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
Bob Mintzer -- tenor saxophone, flute
Special Guests:
Kurt Elling -- vocals
Yellowjackets
Russell Ferrante -- acoustic piano, synthesizer
Jimmy Haslip -- electric bass
Marcus Baylor -- drums
Peter Yellin -- alto saxophone, flute
Lawrence Feldman -- alto saxophone, flute
Bob Malach -- tenor saxophone, clarinet
Scott Robinson -- baritone saxophone, clarinet
Bob Millikan -- trumpet
Scott Wendholt -- trumpet, flugelhorn
Terell Stafford -- trumpet
Frank Greene -- trumpet
Michael Davis -- trombone
Jason Jackson -- trombone
Larry Farrell -- trombone
David Taylor -- bass trombone
Phil Markowitz -- piano
Jay Anderson -- bass
John Riley -- drums |
