Merryteria

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 01:03:32
Full performer name: George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band includes: George Gruntz (leader, piano); Chris Hunter (alto saxophone); Larry Schneider (tenor saxophone); Marvin Stamm (trumpet); Dave Bargeron, Ray Anderson (trombone); Mike Richmond (bass); Raphael Wall (drums). Personnel: George Gruntz (piano); Chris Hunter (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Larry Schneider (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Sal Giorgianni (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Donny McCaslin (flute, tenor saxophone); Steffen Schorn (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone); Jens Winther, Kenny Rampton, Alex Sipiagin, Marvin Stamm, Scott Wendholt, Terell Stafford, Earl Gardner (trumpet, flugelhorn); Christophe Schweizer, Luis Bonilla, Ray Anderson, Art Baron, Clark Gayton (trombone). Audio Mixers: Jim Anderson ; Anthony Ruotolo. Liner Note Authors: George Gruntz; Patrick Hinely. Recording information: Studios 2 & 7 (03/27/1998-11/03/1998); Swiss Radio DRS 2, Zurich, Switzerland (03/27/1998-11/03/1998); Switzerland (03/27/1998-11/03/1998). Photographer: Patrick Hinely. When George Gruntz recorded Merryteria in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1998, his Concert Jazz Band had been together for 26 years. The lineups, of course, had varied from year to year, but the outfit never lost its recognizable sound or its sense of adventure. Some big-band leaders are content to offer predictable, knee-jerk imitations of Buddy Rich, but Gruntz always realized that a big band could be relevant to post-bop experimentation. The Concert Jazz Band continues to sound fresh on Merryteria, which ranges from the exuberant ("Mexicali Pose") to the moody ("Bunauara," "Novgorod Bells"). While Gruntz's "Bunauara" has a strong African influence, "Novgorod Bells" underscores his appreciation of traditional Russian folk. The only standard that Gruntz embraces on this CD is Victor Young's "My Foolish Heart"; most of the time, the Swiss pianist/arranger concentrates on material by either himself or his sidemen. True to form, Gruntz employs a variety of American and European musicians; the participants on Merryteria include, among others, trombonist Ray Anderson and trumpeters Marvin Stamm, Terrell Stafford, and Jens Winther. Anderson is especially appropriate for this CD; the Chicagoan is as eccentric as he is challenging, and Gruntz should be applauded for featuring him prominently. Merryteria demonstrates that after 26 years, the Concert Jazz Band was still among Europe's most interesting big bands. ~ Alex Henderson
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)