Record Reviews

EDWARD CZERNY ORCHESTRA ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.16 POLSKIE RADIO 1666 (Barcode: 5907812246662) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 - 1966 Released: 2014 This is the sixteenth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. This album is a first in a series presenting music recorded by the Polish Radio Big Bands and presents the orchestra led by composer / arranger / bandleader Edward CzernyFind albums by this artist, one of the most active musical figures in Poland´s post-WWII history. Czerny, who was born in Zabrze, one of the Silesian industrial towns, received classical musical education in Berlin before the war. He managed to avoid being grafted into the German army due to a disability and spent the war in his hometown. Immediately after the war he became active forming and leading orchestras, first in Silesia and later on in Warsaw, where he moved in 1955. Among his various activities he was the conductor and artistic director of the Polish Radio Orchestra / Big Band for many years and recorded thousands of compositions for the radio, some of them his own. He retired from conducting by the mid 1970s and spent the rest of his life composing. He moved to Germany in 1981, where he died in 2003. Although Czerny was not a Jazz personality as such, he had a beautiful sense of Swing and a deep sympathy towards Jazz compositions, which he demonstrated in his wonderful arrangements of Jazz standards for his orchestra. Above all he was a superb orchestrator, which is evident in all his work. This album presents nineteen recordings made between 1956 and 1966 including mostly arrangements of Jazz / Swing standards by legendary composers like Glenn MillerFind albums by this artist, Stan KentonFind albums by this artist, Quincy JonesFind albums by this artist, Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and others. There are also four original compositions by Czerny. Interestingly two compositions by the Czech composer Karel KrautgartnerFind albums by this artist, who was another great bandleader / conductor active behind the Iron Curtain, are also included. Fans of vintage Jazz sound and swinging, danceable tunes should have a field day with this material, but it´s worth remembering that Czerny and his music influenced an entire generation of musicians, who were about to become the first Polish post-WWII wave of modern Jazz musicians, creating one of the most fascinating European Jazz scenes. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.

Updated: 01/08/2019Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GARY GUTHMAN ~ SALUTE TO SWING! SOLITON 802 (Barcode: 5901571098029) ~ USA ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 1999 - 2004 Released: 2018 This is a compiled reissue of two albums by the American (resident in Warsaw) trumpeter / composer / arranger Gary GuthmanFind albums by this artist. The albums, recorded and initially released in Canada, are: "Sing, Sing, SingFind albums with this title" from 2005 and "Love TalkFind albums with this title" from 1999. Guthman leads professional Big Bands and is responsible for most of the arrangements, as well as for writing three original pieces on "Love Talk". The rest of the music comprises of well known Swing standards. As the title suggests, the music is a loving tribute to the Swing period in America, which lasted for over two decades between 1930s and early 1950s. The music was mostly played by a plethora of Big Bands and Jazz Orchestras, led by such celebrated composers / bandleaders as Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, Harry JamesFind albums by this artist, Glenn MillerFind albums by this artist, Count BasieFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist, Tommy DorseyFind albums by this artist and numerous others. Although considered as one of the Jazz genres and certainly playing an important role in the development of the idiom, Swing was also a form of popular music and at its peak "the" popular music in the US and to some extent worldwide. Based on solid melodies, many of which became Jazz standards, Swing definitely also included and encouraged improvisation, although limited to relatively short and strictly melodic, but often masterly constructed and incredibly cleverly executed solos. Guthman is not only a great trumpet player, but first and foremost an incredibly sensitive musician in the broadest meaning of the word. He writes absolutely brilliant music, which sounds instantly as good as any Jazz standard from the "fake book", but he is also able to compose contemporary Classical music or entire musicals. He has a pair of great ears, which makes him a skillful arranger able to make the most of any setting, from a quartet to a Big Band or an Orchestra. And he is also a great person, a perfect Gentlemen and a Friend! The two albums presented here are very dissimilar, which makes this compilation even more attractive that it originally appears to be. "Sing, Sing, Sing" is a straightforward tribute to Swing, featuring all the big Swing "hits" that many people are familiar with, without even knowing what Swing means. As such it is a perfect trip down the memory lane for elderly people like yours truly, who still remember their parents dancing while these melodies were being played on the bandstand or on the radio. Guthman delivers several scorching trumpet solos and the music swings like there is no tomorrow. "Love Talk" is a completely different story. It is an exquisite showcase of Jazz arrangement, kept within the general Swing aura, but superbly orchestrated, with the full power of an Orchestra, featuring lush string layers, which is on the whole a piece of elegant, masterly woven musical delight. Guthman´s trumpet playing on this album is much softer, lyrical and Jazz oriented. Overall this album presents the charm and splendor of Swing for everybody. Less experienced listeners will enjoy the evergreens on the first album, which is basically quite danceable, while connoisseurs will delight in the seductive enticement and sophistication of the second album in this set, which is much more suitable for the intimacy a bedroom than the swish of a dancing floor. Since nobody makes music like this anymore, I am not surprised by the fact that this album was so warmly embraced by the listeners. It is after all a piece of musical history, which is still fondly remembered. Way to go, my Friend!

Updated: 01/08/2019Posted: 09/06/2018

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ 101 YEARS GLENN MILLER ATS 0593 (Barcode: 9005216005932) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is an album by the veteran Austrian Jazz Big Band called The Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist. The orchestra´s lineup features four trumpets, five saxophones, four trombones and a rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums). Vocalist Ali GagglFind albums by this artist, who often takes part in the orchestra´s project, sings on four tracks. The resident guest on this album is the wonderful British arranger / conductor Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, whose work within the Big Band idiom is second to none. The album was recorded live and presents fourteen brilliant arrangements of classic Jazz standards associated with the repertoire of the legendary American Jazz trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Glenn MillerFind albums by this artist. As the album´s title suggests, it is a tribute to Miller´s legacy and celebrates his 101 Birthday. As usual, the orchestra´s performances are absolutely spotless and spiced with the superb arrangements the familiar standards get a sparkling facelift, bringing the music up to date. The individual orchestra members contribute a series of brilliant soli and Gaggl offers her usual heartfelt and passionate vocals. The superb arrangements by Gibbs stand up to the challenge of presenting a new facet of Miller´s sound, which is one of the most commonly familiar illustrations of Jazz music, recognized by listeners who often do not listen to Jazz on a regular basis. As a result this new approach emphasizes the differences between the American Swing of the 1940s and the modern European Big Band sound of today. For more experienced Jazz enthusiasts and scholars of the genre this is a classic school example of the influence of arrangements on the final result in music, and Gibbs if surely one of the best out there to show everybody how it´s done. This album is also a great example of a loving and well planned and executed tribute, which offers a new perspective on all familiar music, managing to eschew clichés and trivializing the core substance of the music, which sadly happens often, especially in connection to Glenn Miller´s legacy. Despite its laid-back exterior, Miller´s approach to Jazz was full of delicate sensitivities and sophistication, all of which are perfectly preserved here. Overall this is a brilliant Big Band album, which offers classy music which is accessible to a wide range of listeners, way beyond the strict Jazz snobs. A pure pleasure from start to finish, this music moves your tapping heels weather you like it or not. Absolutely delightful!

Updated: 02/08/2019Posted: 02/08/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ SWING & ALL THAT JAZZ ATS 0765 (Barcode: 9005216007653) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is an album by the veteran Austrian Jazz Big Band called The Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist. The orchestra´s lineup features four trumpets, five saxophones, four trombones and a rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums). Vocalist Ali GagglFind albums by this artist, who often takes part in the orchestra´s project, sings on several tracks. The resident guest on this album is the wonderful British arranger / conductor Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, whose work within the Big Band idiom is second to none. This is the second time Gibbs cooperated with the UAJO, following the excellent Glenn MillerFind albums by this artist tribute recorded a few years earlier. The album was recorded live and presents fourteen brilliant arrangements of classic Swing and Bebop standards. As usual, the orchestra´s performances are absolutely spotless and spiced with the superb arrangements the familiar standards get a sparkling facelift, bringing the music up to date. The individual orchestra members contribute a series of brilliant soli and Gaggl offers her usual heartfelt and passionate vocals. The album offers two interesting aspects for the more experienced Jazz buff; the comparison between these tunes as performed by American Big Bands and those by their European counterparts on one hand, and the comparison between the original recordings of the Bebop tunes, which are usually performed by small combos and the Big Band versions presenter here. Fascinating stuff! Of course the music is also a sparkling document of the sublime talents of Gibbs, who can turn any ordinary tune into an extraordinary piece of music just as a result of his arrangement. Overall this is a brilliant Big Band album, which offers classy music which is accessible to a wide range of listeners, way beyond the strict Jazz snobs. A pure pleasure from start to finish, this music moves your tapping heels weather you like it or not. Absolutely delightful!

Updated: 01/08/2019Posted: 01/08/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend