Jim Mcneely

Mel Lewis and The Jazz Orchestra - Naturally (1979) {Telarc CD-83301 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 251 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 111 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1979, 1992 Telarc | CD-83301
Jazz / Bop / Modern Big Band / Post Bop

This was the first recording by the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, made just a short time after co-leader Thad Jones surprised everyone by suddenly quitting and moving to Europe. Although Jones was gone, the band was still performing his arrangements, and all six of the charts on the set were his; plus, he was the composer of five of the tunes. With such soloists as pianist Jim McNeely, altoist Dick Oatts, trumpeter John Marshall, and the tenors of Bob Rockwell and Richard Perry (along with plenty of tight ensembles), it was clear that the orchestra would live on. Worth searching for.

This is easily Rosnes’ finest recorded achievement and raises the stakes for any who come after her and attempt to do the same thing. The album is a crystalline wonder of tight writing, exceptional playing, and painstaking attention to harmonic detail; it is a tapestry so varied and multidimensional in both conception and execution that it stands in a class by itself.

"It's a pleasure to be here" says Stan Getz, surveying the Californian landscape from the open-air stage he's performing on. "It's different to the dives I play in." And it clearly inspired this famously uncompromising saxophonist in the performance that's captured on this DVD-Video.The first set is chiefly made up of material by pianist Jim McNeely. who writes with a fine melodic touch, and it sets the great cool saxophonist off into a series of beautifully-shaped improvisations that will repay many viewings and listenings. Stan`s quartet also includes a scintillating rhythm team is bassist Marc Johnson, who had come from working with Bill Evans in the pianist's last trio, and drummer Victor Lewis…