Pianist, composer and arranger Alan Broadbent teams up with a jazz trio of Harvie S/b and Peter Erskine/dr as well as the London Metropolitan Orchestra to create an album that is as classy, elegant and sophisticatedly swinging as the artist himself. The showpiece is the three movements of “Developing Story,” which include rich yet modern orchestrations teamed with Broadbent’s lovely piano work on “Movement 1,” panoramic sonic sunrises during “Movement 2” and supply and deft trio swing for “Movement 3.” Woodwinds and strings reminiscent of Debussy are attached to a clever take of “If You Could See Me Now,” while John Coltrane’s “Naima” features luminous brass and enchanted strings. “Milestones” includes peppy brass, dramatic and pulsating bass along with hints of Copland while Broadbent’s own ‘Children of Lima” closes out with reflective reeds and wondrous clouds of flutes hovering like a mist. Subtle in its charms, reflecting the style of the pianist himself.Alan Broadbent: Developing Story
Pianist, composer and arranger Alan Broadbent teams up with a jazz trio of Harvie S/b and Peter Erskine/dr as well as the London Metropolitan Orchestra to create an album that is as classy, elegant and sophisticatedly swinging as the artist himself. The showpiece is the three movements of “Developing Story,” which include rich yet modern orchestrations teamed with Broadbent’s lovely piano work on “Movement 1,” panoramic sonic sunrises during “Movement 2” and supply and deft trio swing for “Movement 3.” Woodwinds and strings reminiscent of Debussy are attached to a clever take of “If You Could See Me Now,” while John Coltrane’s “Naima” features luminous brass and enchanted strings. “Milestones” includes peppy brass, dramatic and pulsating bass along with hints of Copland while Broadbent’s own ‘Children of Lima” closes out with reflective reeds and wondrous clouds of flutes hovering like a mist. Subtle in its charms, reflecting the style of the pianist himself.