Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Harris Eisenstadt: Ahimsa Orchestra

150

Harris Eisenstadt: Ahimsa Orchestra

By

Sign in to view read count
Harris Eisenstadt: Ahimsa Orchestra
Presenting two extended compositions played by two different large ensembles, Harris Eisenstadt's Ahimsa Orchestra highlights the percussionist/composer's emergence as an artistic force to be reckoned with. Eisenstadt gathers an impressive array of West Coast improvisers and feeds them charts inspired by his broad musical interests. Recorded live, the improvisations often launch from segments of music composed in a contemporary classical vein.

The three part Non-Violence suite opens with growls from Noah Phillips' guitar and Eisenstadt's scampering percussion. An inquisitive figure in the double reeds gives way to Toyoji Tomita's understated muted trombone solo. Phillip Greenleaf walks his clarinet on the ceiling, Phillips' guitar buzzing underneath. Part 2 features a dialogue between the guitars with brisk metallic percussion. Kris Tiner and Liz Allbee trade trumpet remarks, then Eisenstadt's brisk hand drumming backs another free flight by Greenlief. The guitars resume their conversation to end it. The ensemble shakes off its reverie for the intro to Part 3, but the free fanfare deflates to a small wind group. Atmospheric writing for horns with subtle vibraphone brings it to a close.

The second suite, "Relief, adds Alex Cline on percussion for a wider swath of percussion textures. Brian Walsh boils on clarinet, followed by Sara Schoenbeck's duet with trombonist George McMullen. Ellen Burr bends and sprays flute notes while Dan Clucas plays an elegant interlude on trumpet. Part 3 features blistering bass clarinet by Vinny Golia against a back drop of thundering percussion. Part 4 features a devastating Dan Clucas solo where the gifted trumpeter splashes warm colors over the insistent groove.

Ahimsa Orchestra celebrates the active West Coast avant-garde scene with two focused large ensemble suites that also showcase his strengths as a composer.

Track Listing

Non-Violence 1; 2; 3; Relief 1; 2; 3; 4.

Personnel

Tracks 1-3: Steve Adams: C flute; Liz Allbee: trumpet; David Brandt: vibraphone; Kyle Bruckmann: oboe; George Cremaschi: contrabass; Harris Eisenstadt: percussion, composer; Phillip Greenlief: Bb clarinet; Bill Horvitz: electric guitar; Noah Phillips: electric guitar; Sara Schoenbeck: bassoon; Kris Tiner: trumpet; Toyoji Tomita: trombone; Omid Zoufonoun: conductor. Tracks 4-7: Ellen Burr: C flute; Bill Casale: contrabass; Jessica Catron: cello; Alex Cline: percussion; Dan Clucas: trumpet; Harris Eisenstadt: percussion, composer; Vinny Golia: bass clarinet; George McMullen: trombone; Noah Phillips: electric guitar; Sara Schoenbeck: bassoon; Brian Walsh: Bb clarinet; Mark Weaver: tuba; Omid Zoufonoun: conductor.

Album information

Title: Ahimsa Orchestra | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Nine Winds Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.