Composer Daniel Hersog features six of his originals along with one standard to help his big band create a musical “ay through the social, political and racial cleavages that came to define 2018. I appreciate that Hersog uses music and titles to state his peace, and not use lyrics that tend to sound obsolete within a half life. The music holds up well, and it features all stars Noah Preminger/ts and Frank Carlberg in this 16 piece band that performs pieces dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr’s statement of “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars”.
You don’t have to have marched in Montgomery, Alabama to appreciate the clever charts the swing with Brad Turner’s trumpet and Preminger’s horn on the bluesy and modern “Cloud Break” while a southern gospel feel does sound like King’s church as Preminger and Carlberg preach on “Motion”. Here and on “ Makeshift Memorial” Carlberg melodically opens u the piece, while he trickles like a stream before the team bops into a wild dark ride of the title piece. The reeds get thick on a lyrical “Song For Henrique” before Michael Kim sears through with his brassy horn, and a take of “Smoke Gets In Y our Eyes” features long shadows for Carlberg to tiptoe through. An impressive tribute to a thoughtful declaration.