Jack Elliott - American Jazz Philharmonic (1993) 320 kbps

Tracklist

1. Open Me First
2. Nostalgico
3. Afterthoughts, Pt. I
4. Afterthoughts, Pt. II
5. Afterthoughts, Pt. III
6. Symphonic Dances, 1st Movement
7. Symphonic Dances: 2nd Movement
8. Symphonic Dances: 3rd Movement

Listeners hoping to hear an innovative mixture of jazz and classical music or some fresh approaches to making strings swing will be disappointed by this disc. Jack Elliott's overly large ensemble (which includes ten woodwinds, 13 brass, 24 strings, harp, piano, three basses, drums and three percussionists) performs John Clayton's "Open Me First" (which at best sounds like swinging movie music), Claus Ogerman's lush "Symphonic Dances," Manny Albam's "Nostalgico" (a feature for altoist Phil Woods) and Ray Brown's three-part "Afterthoughts" which showcases the composer's bass over some interesting melodies. In general the results are rather predictable and dull with the orchestra sounding quite anonymous.~ Scott Yanow