Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Music for Jazz Orchestra (2013) [Hi-Res]

Modern Big Band Jazz, in the tradition of Maria Schneider and Carla Bley, that celebrates the emotional essence of big cities: all that which is incorporated Maria Baptist's music for Jazz Orchestra– particularly though a wonderfully individual sound, who dresses the impulses of life in melodies. Inspiration for her compositions are the incomparable bliss of such big city sensation – the sensation of living at the pulse of time and in the hustle and bustle of opportunities, being part of the city. There are moments and places that are entirely unique to metropolises. “Diverse cultures in dense areas, stark contrast, a fast pace, old and new infrastructure, both historical and contemporary, many people, the feeling, of being able to experience everything at once.” This is how Maria Baptist describes the fascination that New York City evokes in her.

Her compositions embarks on the musical path of such urban sensations. We discern the noises distinct to a big city: In “36th Street Midtown” we experience the pulse of New York City, we feel the burning asphalt on the Berlin “AVUS”, or let ourselves be hauled through “Rush Hour” in Hong Kong. The music for Jazz Orchestra embodies such diversity: through tuneful melodies, compelling dramatic compositions, both powerful and delicate, an emotionally loaded, poignantly distinctive sound is created.

”The considerably dense yet thoroughly harmonious pieces let the orchestrated chaos, the polyphonic variety of metropolises in the Big Band spirit of Maria Schneider, resound.” (Jazzthing)

”In the tradition of Gill Evans, she thinks diversely, and in the footsteps of all great artists since Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Sam Nestico, or Bill Holman, she writes for a large part of the Soli backgrounds.” (Rondo)

„Her music is a gift, infused with all the creativity, power, emotion, generosity and warmth that she exudes in life.” - Maria Schneider (composer, NYC)

Tracklist:
01. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Avus (5:36)
02. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Blue Pictures (10:54)
03. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Ibiza Conversations (6:43)
04. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - On Top of the Mountain (10:51)
05. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - The Blossom (4:13)
06. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Avenue Walk (5:24)
07. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Rush Hour (5:06)
08. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Lingering (5:12)
09. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - 36th Street Midtown (6:10)
10. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Good Bye (7:37)
11. Maria Baptist & Maria Baptist Orchestra - Minotaurus Live (12:12)