Charles Pillow Ensemble - Chamber Jazz (2020)

Artist: Charles Pillow Ensemble
Title Of Album Chamber Jazz
Year Of Release: 2020
Label (Catalog#) : Summit Records
Country: USA
Genre: Jazz / Classical
Quality: Flac (*tracks)
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 01:00:10
Total Size: 347Mb

On Charles Pillow Ensemble’s “Chamber Jazz” album, the Eastman School of Music professor plays flute, alto flute, clarinet, alto and soprano saxophone, oboe and English Horn — all of them brilliantly. Pillow has also written four of the tunes and arranged all eight beautifully for 20 musicians, including seven string players. But those feats would mean nothing if the music wasn’t gorgeous from start to finish.

The concept behind “Chamber Jazz” is to filter elements of great French Impressionist composers like Ravel and Debussy through a jazz sensibility. Whether the vehicle is “Bebe” by Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal, or Pillow’s “While in Pass Manchac,” Pillow’s voicings and melodic turns are simply magical. Another Eastman professor, Gary Versace, is the second star here on piano, and especially, on accordion. There are too many musicians to mention but guitarist Vic Juris is outstanding on Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain.” By Ron Netsky

Tracks:
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1. While In Pass Manchac - 7:48
2. Charlotte And Evan - 9:18
3. Don't Explain - 7:52
4. Bebe - 6:19
5. Pee Wee - 6:13
6. Oska T - 6:06
7. Abschied, Ray - 5:14
8. Atchafalaya Fiction - 10:55

Personnel:
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Charles Pillow – compositions, arrangements, flute, alto flute, clarinet, alto and soprano saxophone, oboe, english horn
Scott Wendholt – trumpet
Alan Ferber – trombone
Chris Komer – french horn
Marcus Rojas – tuba
Todd Groves – bass clarinet, clarinet, flute
Vic Juris – guitar
Gary Versace – piano
Jeff Campbell – bass
Jay Anderson – bass
Mark Ferber – drums
Rich Thompson – drums
Rogerio Boccato – percussion
Hiroko Taguchi – violin
Whitney Lagrange – violin
Lisa Matricardi – violin
Todd Low – viola
Orlando Wells – viola
Alisa Horn – cello
Allison Seidner – cello

All thanks to original releaser