Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra - Portraits and Places (2016)

Although New York City composer, trombonist & alto flugel horn player Scott Reeves has been writing for decades for groups such as the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, the Dave Liebman Big Band, and groups in Japan and Italy, this is the debut recording with his own big band. Founded in 2008 and featuring top jazz artists, including saxophonists Steve Wilson & Tim Armacost, Reeves' writing draws on modern harmonic concepts, a judicious use of dissonance, wide-ranging forms, along with down-home unabashed swinging. His compositions have been described by All About Jazz as "restless, full of color," and from Zan Stewart of the New Jersey Star Ledger, "His music mirrors his aesthetic philosophy, which is also deep and reflective. Scott Reeves writes fresher, more meticulous, more challenging tunes than many well-known jazz composers." ~Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times

Personnel: Scott Reeves: conductor, alto flugelhorn; Steve Wilson: soprano and alto saxophones, flute; Vito Chiavuzzo: alto saxophone, flute; Rob Middleton: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Tim Armacost: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jay Brandford: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (1, 4); Terry Goss: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (2, 3, 5, 8); Seneca Black: trumpet, flugelhorn; Nathan Eklund: trumpet, flugelhorn, Bill Mobley: trumpet, flugelhorn; Andy Gravish: trumpet, flugelhorn; Tim Sessions: trombone; Matt McDonald: trombone; Matt Haviland: trombone; Max Seigel: bass trombone; Jim Ridl: piano; Todd Coolman: bass; Andy Watson: drums; Sara Serpa: voice 3, 4); Emi Miyajima Nobe & Yuzuki Nobe: Japanese dialogue (3).