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Millennium Jazz Orchestra: Safety Zone
ByThe bracing opener, "V.W.," was clearly written as a showcase for the splendid tenor saxophonist Volker Winck who is also featured on Track 2, "The House Code." In fact, lone soloists are front and center on the first half-dozen of the album's seven tracks. The others are trombonist Vincent Veneman (Jones' wistful ballad "A Child Is Born"), alto Gerlo Hesselink ("Safety Zone"), flugel Jan-Willem Te Kiefte (the Don Raye / Gene DePaul standard "You Don't Know What Love Is") and pianist Dirk Balthaus ("Mikro Amoudi"). The only number wherein more than one soloist steps forward is the high-powered finale, "Balanced Battle" (more reminiscent of Ernie Wilkins than Brookmeyer or Jones), on which Balthaus, Hesselink, Winck and baritone Job Helmers share blowing space.
The orchestra is sure-handed and secure throughout, with special kudos for the saxophones and (muted) trumpets on "Battle." The rhythm section, firmly anchored by drummer Felix Schlarmann, lends taut and unflagging support. Brookmeyer's impact is perceptible again on the buoyant, brass-infused "Safety Zone," on which Hesselink bares his impressive chops, while Te Kiefte's sensuous flugel enhances "You Don't Know What Love Is" and Balthaus' lissome piano tempers the minor-key tone poem "Mikro Amoudi." The MJO is a world-class ensemble with charts to match by Reinders who deserves unconditional applause for his remarkable leadership and perseverance. Would twenty-five more years be asking too much?
Track Listing
V.W.; The House Code; A Child Is Born; Safety Zone; You Don’t Know What Love Is; Mikro Amoudi; Balanced Battle.
Personnel
Joan Reinders
composer / conductorJoan Reinders: composer, arranger, conductor; Rini Swinkels: trumpet, flugelhorn; Sander Zweerink: trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter Van Soest: trumpet, flugelhorn (2-4, 7); Bert Fransen: trumpet, flugelhorn; Herman Nijkamp: trumpet, flugelhorn; Jan-Willem Te Kiefte: trumpet, flugelhorn; Gerlo Hesselink: alto, soprano sax, flute; Gerard Grobben: alto, soprano sax, clarinet; Volker Winck: tenor, soprano sax, flute; Martin Van Der Horst: tenor sax, clarinet; Job Helmers: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Vincent Veneman: trombone; Henri Gerrits: trombone; Jochen Niehaves: trombone; Hans Schippers: bass trombone, tuba; Dirk Balthaus: piano; Bart Tarenskeen: bass; Felix Schlarmann: drums.
Album information
Title: Safety Zone | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Joan Reinders
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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