Swiss Youth Jazz Orchestra: Future Steps

Shanti Music
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Future Steps

Every time I worry about the lack of big band jazz groups within the United States, I find another European ensemble that is keeping that genre alive; such is the case with this marvelous orchestra from Switzerland. This is the first release from a project that features “Bandstand Learning with Role Models.” Young apprentices — their ages ranging from 16 to 26 — are mentored by great professionals: trumpeter Randy Brecker, vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, pianist Christian Jacob and drummer Rodney Holmes.

These nine tracks were recorded at the Jazzaar Festival held in Aarau, Switzerland, in 2014. All but one (“Beirut”) were written especially for this orchestra by its director, Fritz Renold. The style echoes that of the jazz fusion band Steps Ahead. 

You can name-check the soloists in the liner notes; suffice it to say, it’s almost impossible to distinguish between the professional mentors and the talented apprentices. To quote the aforementioned liner notes, “Young, middle age, elderly, these cats can play.”

All but one of the tracks are done at mid- to up-tempos; the exception (“Mandela”) is a moving ballad. Including the special guests, the orchestra features six trumpets/flugelhorns and three trombones; five reeds, one of whom plays an ewi; a rhythm section of piano, two guitars and two basses; and another percussionist. The liner notes don’t specify, but some of the duplicate instrumentalists probably aren’t utilized on all tracks.

We may not have as much big band jazz here in the States as we’d like, but the Swiss sure have their share; don’t miss this contribution.

Mike Mainieri and Marnix Busstra: Trinary Motion

NYC Records
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Trinary Motion

Not long ago, I reviewed a masterful double CD (Crescent) that featured vibraphonist Mike Mainieri and saxophonist Charlie Mariano. This release, also a double CD, teams Mainier with guitarist Marnix Busstra and his trio (bassist Eric van der Westen and drummer Pieter Bast).

The result is another gem.

All the musicians are better known in Europe than in the States, and this album is a compilation of live recordings made during a three-day period at clubs in Belgium and The Netherlands. Mainieri and Busstra have worked and recorded together on numerous occasions. Their close relationship is evident; they sound like they’ve been together for years.

All these tracks are originals, and most were composed and arranged by either Mainieri and Busstra.

This is another example of true concert jazz: Everything swings wonderfully, and your attention is riveted to every note, whether during an ensemble or solo passage. Fans of the Modern Jazz Quartet will appreciate this European equivalent. With luck, these guys will visit the States one day; until then, we’ll have to make do with their albums.

Mike Mainieri: Crescent

NYC Records
By Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 10.07.10
Buy CD: Crescent

This double-CD release features three master musicians who, despite their prowess, remain relatively unknown outside the music world's inner circle.

Mike Mainieri is one of the finest living vibraphonists; Charlie Mariano — who, alas, died last year — was equally rated on his instrument, the alto sax; and Dieter Ilg is an outstanding bassist, far better known throughout Europe than in the States.

The album is a tribute to two jazz legends: Mariano, who died not long after the recording session; and the incomparable tenor saxman John Coltrane.

Mainieri and Mariano performed together many times, but this is their sole collaborative recording. The decision to utilize Ilg was fortuitous; his style blends perfectly with theirs, resulting in one of the most beautiful and tasteful albums I've ever heard. The word “beautiful” isn't a frequently used adjective when referring to jazz, but it's a perfect descriptor for this recording.

And it also swings: quietly, yes, but marvelously. Amazingly, this album was recorded without rehearsals or written arrangements, and most of the tracks were done on a single take. Only two relatively short sessions were spent to produce this masterpiece.

That's true talent.