Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra: Meeting of the Waters
Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra: Meeting of the Waters
ByAs on its previous recording, Dreamcatcher (OA2, 2004), SWOJO leaves no doubt that it can play with anyone, readily mastering charts that would test even the most battle-hardened ensemble. The careful use of shading and dynamics is especially remarkable, as all but one of the eight selections were recorded in concert with no safety net or second chances. The exception is Barry's "Checkered Demon which, unlike the others, ends with no applause. The album is so cleanly recorded, however, that the absence of an audience response is the only avenue by which to separate the concert selections from the lone in-studio track.
Barry, the orchestra's music director since its inception, appreciates a Latin beat, a fondness that is conspicuous on three of his four compositions, even though the rhythms are often gentle and understated. Again, the anomaly is "Checkered Demon, a bluesy charmer on which tenor saxophonist Cynthia Mullis excels. "Demon follows the supple opener, "Encontro das Águas (Meeting of the Waters), whose lone soloist is trumpeter Barry himself.
Leach weighs in with "The Tulip Wonder, a lyrical swinger featuring trombonist Jennifer Kellogg that opens calmly and builds in intensity, and the meditative "Self Portrait, nicely sung by Greta Matassa alongside splendid solos by trumpeter Sarah Nelson and tenor Tina Richerson. As with most modern songs, I haven't a clue as to what the lyrics mean, but they seem quite serious and profound.
Townsend's charts appeared previously on her excellent album, Tales from the Sea (Pagetown, 2003). The first is her own enchanting composition, "Waltz of the Jellyfish, the second the lovely standard "Old Folks, a luminous arrangement on which Mullis is again showcased, this time on alto sax.
Bassist Rachael Contorer, alto Lisa Gordanier and pianist Ann Reynolds are the soloists on "Jellyfish, which precedes Barry's powerful "Mighty Urubamba, "Old Folks and his softly flowing "Miraflores. Nelson, drummer Jeremy Jones and percussionist Michelle McGowan are admirable on the former, Jones and Richerson ditto on the latter.
In sum, the inescapable verdict is that SWOJO has earned another blue ribbon. Recommended without pause.
Track Listing
Encontro das
Personnel
Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestraDaniel Barry: music director, trumpet (1); Dennis Haldane: trumpet; Marge Rosen: trumpet; Angela Smith: trumpet (2, 4-8); Sarah Nelson: trumpet (2, 4-6, 8); Mike Mines: trumpet (4); Chad McCullough: trumpet (1, 3); Michael van Bebber: trumpet (1, 3); Shelly Devlin: trumpet (7); Lisa Gordanier: alto sax, clarinet; Cynthia Mullis: alto, tenor sax; Barbara Hubers-Drake: alto sax (1-7), Gwen Bayly: alto sax (8); Tobi Stone: tenor sax, clarinet; Tina Richerson: tenor sax; Ann Babb: baritone sax; Carolyn Caste: trombone; Mariah Ralston: trombone (1, 3-8); Erin Easley: trombone (1, 3, 5, 6, 8); Cynthia McGowan: trombone (2, 4, 7); Kellyn Haley: bass trombone (2, 7); Jennifer Kellogg: trombone (2), bass trombone (1, 3-6, 8); Ann Reynolds: piano; Rachael Contorer: bass; Jeremy Jones: drums; Michelle McGowan: percussion (1, 6, 8). Special guests: Greta Matassa: vocals (4); Hazel Leach: conductor (4); Jill Townsend: conductor (5).
Album information
Title: Meeting of the Waters | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: OA2 Records
< Previous
Clean Feed Records: Radical Revelatio...
Next >
The Chris Crocco Fluid Trio
Comments
About Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To