MARIA SCHNEIDER JAZZ ORCHESTRA — Coming About (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Composer/arranger Maria Schneider and her 18-piece orchestra perform a variety of advanced and difficult music on this CD. The centerpiece of the set is her three-part "Scenes from Childhood" which deals with fear, confusion and grudging acceptance; do not look here for any childlike melodies or playfulness. In addition the big band plays a reworked version of "Giant Steps," the "Love Theme from Spartacus," the Spanish-flavored "El Viento" (which is slightly reminiscent of Gil Evans's writing for Sketches of Spain) and "Waxwings." There are strong solos from trumpeters Greg Gisbert and Tim Hagans, Rich Perry and Rick Margitza on tenors and baritonist Scott Robinson among others but it is the sound of the full ensemble that is most memorable about this rather heavy and melancholy set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    El Viento 11:17
Composed By – Maria Schneider
Guitar, Soloist – Ben Monder
Trombone, Soloist – Larry Farrell
Trumpet, Soloist – Greg Gisbert
2    Love Theme From »Spartacus« 7:04
Composed By – Alex North
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Rich Perry
Scenes From Childhood    
3    Part 1: Bombshelter Beast 9:43
Composed By – Maria Schneider
Guitar, Soloist – Ben Monder
Baritone Saxophone, Theremin, Soloist – Scott Robinson
4    Part 2: Night Watchmen 11:26
Composed By – Maria Schneider
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Rich Perry
Trumpet, Soloist – Tim Hagans
5    Part 3: Coming About 12:48
Composed By – Maria Schneider
Piano, Soloist – Frank Kimbrough
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Rick Margitza
6    Giant Steps 7:44
Alto Saxophone, Soloist – Tim Ries
Composed By – John Coltrane
Trombone, Soloist – Rock Ciccarone
Trumpet, Soloist – Tim Hagans
7    Waxwing 7:43
Composed By – Maria Schneider
Flugelhorn, Soloist – Greg Gisbert
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Tony Scherr
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Tim Ries
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Mark Vinci
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Flute, Theremin – Scott Robinson
Bass Trombone – George Flynn
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor, Producer – Maria Schneider
Drums – Tim Horner
Guitar – Ben Monder
Piano – Frank Kimbrough
Tenor Saxophone – Rich Perry, Rick Margitza
Trombone – Keith O'Quinn, Larry Farrell, Rock Ciccarone
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Greg Gisbert, Laurie Frink, Tim Hagans, Tony Kadleck

JOE LOVANO NONET — On This Day At The Vanguard (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, On This Day...At the Vanguard is saxophonist Joe Lovano's first recording with his award-winning nonet since the release of 52nd Street Themes in 2000. Having recorded in a variety of settings ranging from those of big-band leaders Woody Herman and Mel Lewis to duets with Mulgrew Miller on Tenor Legacy to quartets featuring such stellar artists as Dave Holland, John Scofield, and Al Foster (collectively known as Scolohofo), Joe Lovano proves with this CD that his artistry remains highly adaptable to any musical setting. Opening the program with the first of two originals written for this recording is Lovano's swinging "At the Vanguard." It has a harmonic sequence based on "Stompin' at the Savoy," and features outstanding solos by Lovano, alto saxophonist Steve Slagle, trumpeter Barry Ries, and pianist John Hicks. "Focus" and John Coltrane's "After the Rain" offer listeners two exceptional contrasts of Lovano's playing style, while "On This Day Just Like Any Other" is a 15-minute free jazz offering with amazing improvisations that Lovano wrote around the time drummer Billy Higgins passed away. The recording closes with "My Little Brown Book," a beautiful, serene ballad that returns the music to the quartet sound and served as the show's encore. Overall, On This Day...At the Vanguard captures the essence of Lovano's reverence and enthusiasm for the jazz venue that has supplied a great deal of his musical inspiration over the course of his jazz career. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    At The Vanguard 9:30
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
2    Focus 8:09
Arranged By – Willie Smith
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    After The Rain 7:34
Arranged By – Steve Slagle
Composed By – John Coltrane
4    Good Bait 14:09
Arranged By – Joe Lovano
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
5    Laura 5:22
Arranged By – Joe Lovano, Willie Smith
Composed By – David Arksin
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
6    On This Day (Just Like Any Other) 15:22
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
7    My Little Brown Book 9:04
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Steve Slagle
Baritone Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Lewis Nash
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama
Trombone – Larry Farrell
Trumpet – Barry Ries