Chema Peñalver - Big Band "Mode On" (2021) Hi-Res

"Mode On" is, for the moment, the last published work of the Castellón clarinetist, Chema Peñalver, and as it was logical to guess, knowing his trajectory, and the line of his previous discographic works, sooner or later, Chema Peñalver had to do this album surrounded by a big band. It was his fate and the confinement by COVID during 2020, made this great musician compose music for big band and put it into practice in the last days of that disastrous leap year that we recently left behind.

"Mode On" is the confirmation of all the qualities that we have been hearing from Chema Peñalver on his previous albums, that is, great mastery of his instrument, the clarinet, a very accomplished technique, his own sound, and above all, a capacity creative for extraordinary improvisation. With just four rehearsals, Chema Peñalver brings together 17 musicians, just enough to be considered a big band, and records this wonderful work with nine of his own compositions, arranged for a big band composed of:

Trumpets: Manolo Díaz, Toni Porcel, Juan Moscardó, Adolfo Cebreiro.
Trombones: Javier Llopis, Carlos Valls, José Javier Oliver and Óscar Torres.
Saxophones: Fran Conde, Celso Sorribes, Rafa Palomar, Iván Pitarch, Inma Martínez.
Double basses: Natxo Navarro and Dani Fernández.
Piano: Cayetano Balfagón.
Latin percussion: Manel Chust.
Drums: Jesús Gallardo.
Chema Peñalver: clarinet, composition, arrangements and musical direction.

"Mode On" only confirms what we have already told about Chema Peñalver, speaking of his previous albums: brilliant musician, great composer, knowledgeable about his instrument, innate capacity for improvisation, elegance in the arrangements, and an overflowing energy all their jobs. Music made to be enjoyed over and over again. A great album in which it is impossible not to sway to the rhythm of the music.