Gary Smulyan and Brass - Blue Suite (1999)

  • 05 Dec, 12:44
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Artist:
Title: Blue Suite
Year Of Release: 1999
Label: Criss Cross Jazz[Criss 1189 CD]
Genre: Jazz, Hard Bop
Quality: FLAC (tracks + .cue,log) | MP3/320 kbps
Total Time: 57:19
Total Size: 340 MB(+3%) | 137 MB(+3%)
WebSite:

Tracklist

01. Interlude Blue Suite [06:02]
02. Blues Culture [05:45]
03. Blues In My Neighbourhood [07:53]
04. Charleston Blue [06:24]
05. Blues Attitude [08:16]
06. Blue Speed [10:34]
07. Blues Gentility [06:22]
08. Blue Stomp [05:58]

personnel :

Gary Smulyan - baritone saxophone
Bill Charlap - piano
Christian McBride - bass
Kenny Washington - drums
Greg Gisbert, Scott Wendholt, Earl Gardner - trumpet
John Mosca, Jason Jackson - trombone
Douglas Purviance - bass trombone
John Clark, Fred Griffith - french horn
Bob Stewart - tuba
Composed By, Arranged By – Bob Belden

Gary Smulyan and Bob Belden continue their fruitful musical relationship on this somewhat unusual outing. Beginning with an introductory arrangement of Oliver Nelson's up-tempo "Interlude," the disc is then given over to a seven-part "Blue Suite" composed and arranged by Belden. Smulyan leads the proceedings on baritone sax, joined by Bill Charlap on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums, along with four trumpets, three trombones, two French horns, and a tuba. Most of these brass players are Smulyan's fellow members in the historic Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. An extended meditation on the blues in all its variety, the suite features Smulyan's virtuosic, expressive bari playing and fine solos from trumpeters Scott Wendholt and Greg Gisbert, French horn player John Clark, tubist Bob Stewart, and trombonist John Mosca. To hear the blues genesis of some of these compositions -- especially "Blues in My Neighborhood," "Charleston Blue," and "Blues Gentility" -- requires a careful ear. "Blue Speed" and "Blue Stomp," in contrast, are more straightforward blowing vehicles. Throughout, Blue Suite satisfyingly combines exploratory compositions, carefully developed arrangements, and loose-limbed improvisation, all within the inexhaustible framework of the blues.~ David R. Adler