Claus Waidtlow puts together a full jazz orchestra for his own tunes and arrangements, featuring a lyrical Scandinavian team that includes American drummer Jeff Ballard. The mix of reeds and brass is done cleverly and judiciously as on the call and soft responses on “Ballard For Ballard.” Some exotic street sounds mix with percussion and Lars Vissing’s trumpet on “Morning in Banjul” and Waidtlow himself brings his rich tenor into the fold on “Double Rainbow.” Ballard’s nimble stick work gently drives the bopping blues for Gunde on the title track, and Waidtlow shows some moxie by creating a jazz version of Hayden’s “Surprise” Symphony with a startling contrast on “The Other Side of the River” along with a richly delivered trombone solo by Steen Hansen. Lots to enjoy here for big band fans.
Gateway Music