See each 2019 NEA Jazz Master tribute and speech by clicking the following links: Abdullah Ibrahim, Bob Dorough, Maria Schneider, Stanley Crouch.
By DAN BILAWSKY
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Track review of 'Lembra De Mim'Sign in to view read count
June of 2015 can't come soon enough for fans of the
Maria Schneider
piano
'>Maria Schneider Orchestra. That month will see the release of the The Thompson Fields—the long-awaited followup to the stunning Sky Blue (ArtistShare, 2007). In the meantime, Schneider has been gracious enough to deliver a pair of bonus tracks to tide everyone over until the album drops: an updated take on 'Dance You Monster To My Soft Song,' a piece originally presented on Evanescence (Enja, 1994), and her arrangement of piano
Ivan Lins
b.1945
keyboard
'>Ivan Lins' 'Lembra De Mim.' b.1945
keyboard
Both numbers, while newly recorded, hearken back to different points in Schneider's career. 'Dance You Monster To My Soft Song' looks back to her debut and the dawning of what's now considered one of the most distinguished large ensembles in jazz, and 'Lembra De Mim' looks back ten years to a time when Schneider wrote that arrangement when touring with harmonica legend
Toots Thielemans
1922 - 2016
harmonica
'>Toots Thielemans, Lins, and the Danish Radio Orchestra. Schneider released the latter number on April 29, intentionally gifting it on Thielemans ninety-third birthday. 1922 - 2016
harmonica
While Thielemans has retired, Schneider was able to convince him to record this and the results are predictably pleasing. He works his breezy magic over the rich harmonies of the band and mingles pleasantly with Lins' soothing voice. Other guests include
Rogerio Boccato
b.1967
percussion
'>Rogerio Boccato, who provides light percussive coloring, and guitarist b.1967
percussion
Romero Lubambo
b.1955
guitar
'>Romero Lubambo, who adds low-key guitar work to this mellow Brazilian beauty. b.1955
guitar
This piece, while miles away from the music Schneider will release shortly, has something in common with all of her best work: it speaks to her ability to brilliantly tap into a wide spectrum of colors and timbres in her gorgeous musical paintings.
Track Listing: Lembra De Mim.
Personnel: Steve Wilson, reeds; Dave Pietro: reeds; Rich Perry: reeds; Donny McCaslin: reeds; Scott Robinson: reeds; Tony Kadleck: trumpet; Greg Gisbert: trumpet; Augie Haas: trumpet; Mike Rodriguez: trumpet; Keith O'Quinn,: trombone Ryan Keberle: trombone; Marshall Gilkes: trombone George Flynn: bass trombone; Romero Lubambo: guitar; Lage Lund: guitar; Frank Kimbrough: piano; Rogerio Boccato: percussion; Clarence Penn: drums; Jay Anderson: bass; Toots Thielemans: harmonica; Ivan Lins: vocals.
Title: Lembra De Mim | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: ArtistShare
About Maria Schneider
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By LARRY TAYLOR
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Maria Schneider
piano
'>Maria Schneider's orchestral music has been described as evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous and beyond categorization. Therefore, it was with trepidation that vocalists piano
Julia Dollison
b.1972
vocalist
'>Julia Dollison and b.1972
vocalist
Kerry Marsh
vocalist
'>Kerry Marsh approached Schneider with the concept of using their voices, with the aid of multi-tracking studio techniques, to create the sound of her orchestra. They would wordlessly sing the brass and woodwind parts in her complex orchestrations.vocalist
At first, Schneider says she thought they were insane, but, after listening to a portion of their rendition of her 'Journey Home,' she enthusiastically signed on. She even volunteered her rhythm section: Thus was born Vertical Voices: The Music of Maria Schneider.
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Dollison and husband Marsh currently teach, conduct and perform together. In 2000, Dollison won Downbeat's Best Jazz Vocal Soloist. Her relationship with Schneider began 10 years ago when she performed wordlessly with the Schneider Orchestra on 'Journey Home' and 'Hang Gliding'; both compositions adapted for this new CD. Similarly, Marsh has worked closely with Schneider, studying composition and arranging techniques. In 2003, he earned the Downbeat Student Music Award for best collegiate jazz arrangement.
The duo's style can be traced to the Hi-Lo's in the fifties, and their voice blend is akin to contemporaries the
New York Voices
b.1989
vocalist
'>New York Voices. In this recording, the complicated layering of voices is flawless and beautiful. Their sound completely captures Schneider's arrangements. A caution, though: it is best to listen to only a few selections at a time. Listening to the CD in one sitting becomes too much of a good thing. In each track there is an inherent sameness of sound. b.1989
vocalist
Comparing the orchestra recordings with the duos is interesting. On 'The 'Pretty' Road,' the rhythm section opening on both is virtually the same. What is more, Schneider's original features a female vocalization on top of the orchestration at the beginning. Here, Dollison's voice beautifully becomes the trumpets.
The standout track on this is 'Sky Blue.' Starting out, the two create a somber horn section before Dollison alone takes on the higher instruments. She builds to a powerful climactic moment. For her, a vocal tour de force.
Track Listing: The 'Pretty' Road; Journey Home; Danca Illusoria; Sky Blue; Hang Gliding.
Personnel: Julia Dollison: vocals; Kerry Marsh: vocals; Frank Kimbrough: piano; Ben Monder: guitar; Jay Anderson: bass; Clarence Penn: percussion.
Title: Vertical Voices: The Music of Maria Schneider | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: ArtistShare