Anthony Lazaro

The innovative alto-saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton leads the Northwest Creative Orchestra (a 16-piece big band) through eight of his compositions on this CD. Few of the sidemen have yet gained more than a local reputation (trumpeter Rob Blakeslee is the biggest "name"), but they perform the complex music quite well, although it would have been nice if the liner notes had identified the soloists and listed what reeds the saxophonists play. A stimulating set of avant-garde music.

These splendid performances from Anthony Halstead directing the Hanover Band from the keyboard are appealingly fluent, full of flair and vitality… His solo playing is very persuasive and the result is delightfully intimate.

The German label CPO, consistently dedicated to underappreciated music, has brought along many recordings of unfamiliar works ranging in status from central to the literature to wholly unworthy of revival. One of the most distinguished, and consequential, projects that CPO has undertaken is its recording of the complete Symphonies Concertantes of Johann Christian Bach as performed by the Hanover Band under Anthony Halstead.

Listeners used to the Hanover Band will need no prompting to buy this excellent series of performances, excellently recorded. They avoid some of the more quirky and, to some, off-putting aspects of period performance. There are no ugly bulges of tone and wirey shafts of under-nourished violin tone. The wind and brass play bang in tune and the instruments are fully under the control of these top players.

Anthony Cox - Dark Metals (1991) {Antilles–Island 314-510 853-2}
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© 1991 Antilles / Island / Minor Music | 314-510 853-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Bass

Bassist Anthony Cox had served time in numerous jazz ensembles, including groups led by Anthony Davis and Marty Ehrlich, before being given a chance to record his first session as a leader, Dark Metals. He assembled a strong hand and half, young and old quartet with veterans Dewey Redman and Billy Higgins, and produced a solid, relatively straight-ahead date, enjoyable for both the breathy expansiveness of the compositions and the relaxed though often probing contributions of the soloists.

Anthony Davis - Lady Of The Mirrors (1980) {India Navigation IN1047CD rel 1991}
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© 1980, 1991 India Navigation Company | IN 1047 CD
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

Anthony Davis is best known as a composer, both in avant-garde jazz and in classical music (including operas). Although all six selections on this reissue CD are by Davis, the main focus is on his piano playing. He is heard on six extended solos, exploring many moods and ideas in a thoughtful yet unpredictable fashion. His "Man on a Turquoise Cloud" pays tribute to one of his main influences, Duke Ellington, but in general the complex and often-fascinating music is quite original and has no obvious predecessor. Lady of the Mirrors is still one of Anthony Davis' finest piano recordings.