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  | MICHAEL GIBBS + TWELVE ~ PLAY GIL EVANS
WHIRLWIND 4639 (Barcode: 639713711943) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
This is a criminally little known album by British Jazz composer / arranger / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a twelve-piece orchestra comprising of mostly young British Jazz musicians. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the American composer / arranger / bandleader Gil EvansFind albums by this artist, who influenced Gibb’s musical path and who was undoubtedly one of the most far-thinking, revolutionary and unique personalities in the orchestral Jazz idiom. The album presents ten tracks, two of which are original compositions by Gibbs, one composition by Evans, three standards and the rest are compositions by American Jazz composers, spanning diverse Jazz sub-genres.
The music is a wonderful adaptation of the Evans arrangements, expanded with additional contributions by Gibbs, creating a contemporary orchestral Jazz of the highest quality. The album focus, in addition to the arrangements, is also on the soloing by the individual musicians, and offers some spectacular soli, especially those by German (resident in UK) pianist Hans KollerFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the legendary Austrian saxophonist), saxophonist Julian SiegelFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Robbie RobsonFind albums by this artist, American (also resident in UK) bassist Michael JanischFind albums by this artist (founder and owner of the WhirlwindFind albums on this label Records label, which released this album) and others.
The two Gibbs originals are masterpieces of modern orchestral Jazz and brilliant examples of his compositional skills, which of course are already universally acknowledged. The diversity of the rest of the material makes the album a vigorous listening experience, full of excellent musicianship and heartfelt delivery.
Overall this is a vital addition to the Michael Gibbs recorded legacy, which no fan of his would like to miss in his collection. All Jazz lovers, including of curse the avid British Jazz crowd, should definitely own a copy of this album.
| | Updated: 22/07/2021Posted: 22/07/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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