THAD JONES & MEL LEWIS ORCHESTRA: New Life

THAD JONES & MEL LEWIS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Este é um dos meus álbuns preferidos, dentre tantos que possuo da TJ&ML big band, uma das mais notáveis formações de todos os tempos. Os craques (músicos e arranjadores) que passaram pelas diferentes formações ao longo de aproximadamente 12 anos, constituiram diversos "dream teams". Do final dos anos 60 até meados dos anos 80, atuaram constantemente no Village Vanguard em New York, meio na base da "canja". Depois a coisa se tornou oficial e, naquele tempo, ir à "big apple" sem assistir a uma apresentação da banda equivalia a ir a Roma e não ver o Papa. Nos anos 80 adotou o nome de "Vanguard Jazz Orchestra" e continuou a ser a "banda da casa", por algum tempo, sob o comando de Thad Jones. Até hoje a orquestra está em atividade - atualmente sob a direção de John Mosca - e ainda se apresenta todas as segundas-feiras no Village. (Assisti a algumas apresentações nos anos 90, quando já não era mais o mesmo "timaço" dos velhos tempos. Mas, ainda assim, continua a ser um excelente programa em NY).
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THAD JONES & MEL LEWIS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis around 1965.The orchestra started out as a group of all-star studio musicians getting together for midnight practice sessions at any place within walking distance from Jim and Andy's, a bar frequented by New York musicians. They eventually debuted at the Village Vanguard in New York in 1966, and were quickly noticed by jazz insiders for their originality and virtuoso skills. The band had its own unique style, along the lines of big band swing, Bebop and Hard Bop. The sound was powerful, fast, intellectual and fun to listen to. Their pieces required a high degree of skill to play. Thad Jones, a trumpeter who toured (and wrote) for the Count Basie Orchestra during the 1950s, led the group, was its main arranger, and was occasionally featured, most often on flugelhorn. Mel Lewis, co-leader, produced a drum style with the band that was unique for big bands. The extent in which he was able to incorporate the loose, open approach of small group playing was a major innovation. His cymbal work added a texture and richness that is one of the hallmarks of the band. Every big band drummer after Lewis has been influenced by him to some degree. The orchestra was arguably the most influential Big Band since the swing era. It was also an unusual band; creating new styles, succeeding in an era where big bands were out of favor, and remaining integrated during racially tense periods. The band initially was made of all-stars, but over time endeavored to showcase new talent (Jon Faddis). Thad's arrangements proved to be highly influential upon modern composers such as Maria Schneider, Bob Brookmeyer (who is also an alumnus), and Bill Kirchner. His songs built upon the innovations previously pioneered by Jazz composition figures such as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. Since the mid-1980s, the band has been renamed the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, continuing its tradition as the Village Vanguard's house band.
(Source: wikipedia - edited by CB)
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MINHA OPINIÃO: As composições e arranjos deste álbum são de Thad Jones, com exceção da minha faixa preferida: "LOVE AND HARMONY", composta e arranjada pelo trumpetista Cecil Bridgewater (marido da Dee Dee, idem). Este arranjo é uma obra prima, uma aula de "construção" e "desconstrução" de uma orquestra: CB vai juntando os instrumento aos poucos, compondo uma "sinfonia", até formar um bloco compacto que expõe e desenvolve o bela tema, numa levada de "bossa-jazz". Depois de alguns ataques em "block chords" do naipe de saxes e do "tutti" com a banda inteira, vêm os improvisos de Frank Foster (sax) e Thad Jones (fluegelhorn). Pra fechar o arranjo, Cecil volta à "sinfonia" inicial e vai desmontando tudo de novo. A outra exceção é o arranjo de "THANK YOU", escrito por Jerry Dodgion. Dizer que este álbum é OURO EM PÓ seria redundância, não é mesmo?
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THAD JONES & MEL LEWIS ORCHESTRA: New Life

PERSONNEL:
* Thad Jones – flugelhorn (tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7)
* Mel Lewis – drums
* Herb Lovelle – drums (tracks 4,5)
* Roland Hanna – piano (tracks 1,2,4,5,6)
* Walter Norris – piano (tracks 3,7)
* George Mraz – bass (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Steve Gilmore – acoustic bass (tracks 4,5)
* Rasan Mfalme (Jerry Jemmott) – electric bass (track 4)
* Barry Finnerty – electric guitar (track 1)
* David Spinozza – electric guitar (track 4)
* Leonard Gibbs – congas (tracks 1, 4)

* Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone, flute, soprano saxophone
* Frank Foster – tenor saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Lou Marini – clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone (tracks 1 (intro),4,5)
* Greg Herbert – tenor saxophone, flute
* Ed Xiques – soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet
* Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone

* Al Porcino – trumpet (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Jon Faddis – trumpet (tracks 4,5)
* Lew Soloff – trumpet (tracks 4,5)
* Waymon Reed – trumpet (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Steve Furtado – trumpet (tracks 4,5)
* Sinclair Acey – trumpet (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Jim Bossy – trumpet (tracks 4,5)
* Cecil Bridgewater – trumpet

* Billy Campbell – trombone
* Janice Robinson – trombone
* Earl McIntyre – bass trombone (tracks 1,2,3,6,7), trombone (tracks 4,5)
* John Mosca – trombone (tracks 1,2,3,6,7)
* Dave Taylor – bass trombone (tracks 4,5)

* Jim Buffington – french horn (tracks 1,4,5)
* Ray Alonge – french horn (tracks 1,4,5)
* Peter Gordon – french horn (tracks 1,4,5)
* Earl Chapin – french horn (tracks 4,5)
* Julius Watkins – french horn (track 1)
* Don Butterfield – tuba (tracks 4,5)

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. Greetings And Salutations
2. Love And Harmony
3. Little Rascal On A Rock
4. Forever Lasting
5. Love To One is One to Love
6. Thank You
7. Cherry Juice