Not a quartet, not an orchestra…somewhere in the middle..
Bassist and composer Clark Sommers brings together a 12 piece band for some rich arrangements that still give room for solos. The woodwinds float around Scott Hesse’s guitar on “The Rider” and the brass is contemplative with broad harmonies for Stu Mindeman’s piano on “Chance Encounter”. The muted horns frame Geof Bradfield’s tenor sax on ”Follow The Mistery” and the elegiac Anchor” gives room for Christ Madsen’s tenor and John Wojiechowski’s feathery flute on “Anchor”. Cheerful modulations.
Pianist and composer Pascal Le Boeuf puts together an intriguing mix of strings and jazz on this shadowy album of moods. The jazz team of Linda May Han Oh/b, Justin Brown/dr, Remy Le Boeuf/as, Ben Wendel/ts and Kelli Kathman/fl is supplemented by a collection of sublime strings. The arrangements are tricky, complex and thrilling, modern sounding for “Transition Behavior” and dramatic around the leader’s solo on “Wanderlust”. A mix of pizzicato and bows make for a whit knuckler on ”Media Control” and there are dark slashes to “Obliquely Wrecked” . A four part “Rituals of Change” range from sustained tensions to frames for solos by Wendel, Kathman and brother Remy. Focus listening required, but well worth working through the layers.
Lowcountry consists of Quentin E. Baxer/dr and trumpeter Matt White, including a large guest list of Chris Potter/ts, Charlton Singleton/tp, Michael Thomas/as-bcl, Mark Sterbank/ts-cl, Jerald Shynett/tb, Tim Fischer/g, Demetrius Doctor/p and Rodney Jordan/b, along with supplements by The Charleston Symphony String Quartet. And yes, there is also narration by Ron Daise and vocals from Gracie Gadsen, Joseph Murray and Rosa Muray. Almost all of the songs are introduced by voices giving advice or telling stories, such as “If you can’t learn the hymn, don’t sing it” on “Raise the Hymn”, while Potter solos on Aye Neva” and Singleton bops on “Cheraw”. The strings are rich for “ Come By Here” while the mix of sage lessons and post bop sounds works best on “Welcome/Buzzard Lope”. Musical lectures.