The lines between classical and jazz get blurred on these releases.
Produced by William Susman, the Octet Ensemble of Alan Ferber/tb, Mellissa Hughes/voc, Eleanore Oppenheim/b, William Susman/p, Mike Gurfield/tp, Elain Kwon/p, Demetrius Spaneas/sax and Greg Zuber/dr-perc mix impressionistic moods with vocal lyrics and wordless tones. A three movement “Camille” has Hughes vocalizing over gentle chamber sonorities. A five movement “Scatter My Ashes” features Hughes in a semi-classical vocal over lyrics of wonderment. Susman is featured on a six piece upbeat “Piano Concerto” that is clean and lively, and woodwinds dominate the three movement “Moving In To An Empty Space” that is concise as it is harmoniously sophisticated. No overlong solos or overlong segues, with everyone keeping it short and sweet.