Gig Performer 5

Leonard Bernstein has always loomed large among the musicians who have most fascinated me. Not only did he demonstrate huge vitality and charisma as a conductor, and compose the wonderful music that is his legacy, but he worked tirelessly as a communicator and “pedagogue”. His explanations of wide-ranging aspects of music to the viewers of his television programme for children, his lectures at Harvard University and his books have all been an enormous source of information. In recognition of the centenary of his birth, we dedicate to him this recording of his works for clarinet. At the same time, we pay homage to another musician whom I greatly admire – Benny Goodman – and include two other works directly linked to the theme of this CD – the impact of jazz on Bernstein’s output.

The Last Gig is a new live album from Adam Holzman & Brave New World. It was recorded live on March 12th, 2020 at Nublu 151 in New York City, one day before lockdown started. Featuring Gene Lake on drums, Freddy Cash jr. on bass, Ofer Assaf on sax, Jane Getter on guitar and Adam Holzman on keyboards, it is a live follow-up to Adam’s critically acclaimed recent release Truth Decay. The Last Gig might indeed be the last blazing jam before the pandemic silenced the night club scene. Check it out for a good dose of high energy jazz-rock in these strange times!