Here are a couple of releases by the Manhattan School of Music. One is from the Jazz Philharmonic, and the other from the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Talking about getting an education
Conducted by Justin DiCioccio, the MSMJPO delves into a mix of some of the more arranged compositions by Duke Ellington while also able to display its ability to swing in tandem. Lesser known suites such as “The Queen’s Suite” and “Night Creature” as well as pieces like “Lighning Bugs and Frogs,” “Le Sucrier Velours” and “Apes and Peacocks” are brought to light with fresh textures. It’s a large ensemble, but they are able to swing, as they demonstrate during a tasty “Caravan” and a heavy trafficked “Harlem.” Gentle textures on “Single Petal of a Rose” and “Northern Lights” sound like an orchestral version of Johnny Hodges, keeping this from turning into a watered down reading of Ellingtonia and instead keeping the music of almost 4 score years sounding fresh as a mint julep.
Conducted by Bobby Sanabria, the MSMACJO also delves into the Ellington songbook, with a nice little take of Juan Tizol’s “Moon Over Cuba” that sounds like Ricky Ricardo’s back in town, and a smooth as silk “Blood Count” that has Patrick Bartley’s alto evoking Johnny Hodges. A reading of “Royal Garden Blues” is as flavorful as flan, while the twelve minute “Let There Be Swing” gives the percussion a chance to spread out, with Arthur Vint/dr, Matthew Gonzalez/bongo and Sanabria’s timbales sizzling like onions and peppers on the street corner. Lots of excitement jumping off the frying pan here.
Jazzheads Records