Little Big-Band John Vanore and Abstract Truth Score Points for "Contagious Words"

John Vanore's big band Abstract Truth comes at you in subtle ways on their third CD Contagious Words (Acoustical Concepts 44). It's music that uses all the mainstream notes, but combines them often in ways that are different. It's a 12-person ensemble that has been hanging in since 1981. As a trumpet player himself, John has fashioned a group with a lot of brass power, John plus 3-5 others on trumpet-fluegel, then French horn and two trombones. They are augmented by two reeds. So the front line has a unique sound--and they are a terrific blend I might add. Guitar, bass and drums form the rhythm team, augmented by piano on some of the numbers.

The charts are mostly Vanore originals. And they shine. Soloists are featured now and again and do a good job of it. The Abstract Truth on the surface of things could be lumped in with other bands that more or less have become a postscript to the Jones-Lewis-Nelson sound. But it's the ensemble the way John configures it and the twists and turns he throws at us that transforms it all into something original, something of interest in its own right.

This is a band that has paid its dues and overcome the many obstacles to keeping a big band going in these tough times. And they have not just survived. They should be heard. Recommended listening.

A New One From Darrell Katz and the Jazz Composer's Alliance Orchestra

A new disk by Darrell Katz (A Wallflower in the Amazon [Accurate 5059]) and his Jazz Composer Alliance Orchestra is a matter of some occasion to me. I've followed the music over the course of a number of albums and have found that there is virtually always something to interest me in them. Mr. Katz is a well wrought sort of arranger-composer.

The new album continues Katz trend of increasingly tailoring aspects of his music for a larger audience. So there is an arrangement of Duke Ellington's "I Like the Sunrise" from "Liberian Suite," there are arrangements of a couple of classic blues numbers, and their are vocals here and there. Now the vocals should appeal to people who cannot relate to music on any level without there being some verbal-vocal content. I tend to expect the very best from jazz singers. And when I don't get it I don't like it.

The vocalists on this album are quite decent, but I do end up asking myself if they are totally necessary to the proceedings. But that is a matter of preference.

The arrangements are sonically detailed and quite well performed by the orchestra. The compositions are weighty and contemporary, they add colors and complexities that Mr. Katz does so well in creating, and there are those elements that should help more people appreciate his music.

It is a remarkable feat to keep a big band such as this one going for as long as it has, and the result is a tightly presented sonance that any lover of the larger aggregates should appreciate. It is in, but it is also out when there is an expressive need. Good!

The Dave Liebman Big Band Unleashes A Corker

If you've been listening to Dave Liebman in the last few years you probably have come to recognize that he has entered a class of his own. He is an original. Those who see in his early work a heavy John Coltrane influence should come to recognize, if they haven't already, that he has gone pretty far beyond that to his own place. His extended use of chromatic passing tones and his extensive grasp of scales and modes in various juxtipositions, not to mention a commanding grasp of the technical aspects of execution and tone make him. . . a monster.

There's no better place to experience Liebman today than on his big band recording As Always (Mama 1039). Five arrangers were invited to pick from the body of Liebman originals. They then set to work creating stimulating charts that range from a McCoy-like, "Fly Like the Wind" block presentation to shades of post-Gil-Evans tone color. The compositions will be mostly familiar to anyone who has followed Liebman through the years (the wonderful "New Breed" is a great example of the pieces here).

It's a crack big band outfit setting up what in effect is a kind of concerto for Liebman's soprano with big band. His playing is marvelous to hear on this one, and the band does not flag.

In short, this is excellent jazz; excellently performed and excellently arranged. It is one of the best of the year for me so far.

Either/Orchestra Celebrates 25 Years with New Release

Mood Music for Time Travellers (Accurate 3285) kicks off the 25th anniversary celebration of the Either/ Orchestra, a large ensemble dedicated to modern-tight arranging-composing and a sense of adventure.

The new disk sees them take a retrospective look at American music forms: jazz boogaloo (see yesterday's posting for my feelings on that in general), Ellingtonian rhumba, Latin jazz, reggae, and such.

As always Russ Gershon and the group go the extra mile for compositions and arrangements that have flash, polish and full musical content. The Latin numbers are especially invigorating, aided and abetted by new member pianist Rafael Alcala.

The album is filled with examples of how and why the Either/Orchestra is one of the most sophisticated, accomplished and dynamic large ensembles working today.

Grab an earful of this new one and I think you'll be very pleased! Happy 25th to the Either/Orchestra.

John Vanore & Abstract Truth: Vivid Big Band Jazz

Jazz composer, big-band leader and trumpeter John Vanore shows he is a force with which to be reckoned on his new release Curiosity (Acoustical Concepts). Vanore studied with the somewhat legendary Philly pedagogue Dennis Sandole, played with Woody Herman and has perfected his writing-arranging craft in various dues-paying situations.

His band, recorded here in 1991, is tight and hard hitting. There's a very impressive brass section of eight strong players, but the entire band has ensemble presence that brings out the best in Vanore's charts. There are seven interesting band originals (four from Vanore) plus a Frank Foster gem.

If you like a powerfully modern big band sound, you certainly should be pleased with this one. I hope Mr. Vanore gets the attention he deserves and follows up with more releases like this.