Search - Maria Schneider :: Maria Schneider - Sky Blue [Standard Edition] CD -(Wallet style packaging with one booklet)

A deeply-satisfying roller-coaster of emotions

Bob Wright | Hitchin, Herts, England | 02/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maria Schneider - "Sky Blue" (audio CD, 2007)



This is the latest CD by a modern jazz orchestral composer/arranger/conductor who has already deservedly established a great reputation. It contains a set of 5 separately-commissioned pieces, each with its own very distinct and distinctive character. Maria's own liner notes provide detailed information about how they came to be inspired and created. The first, "The 'Pretty' Road", with a particularly attractive central theme, reflects happy childhood memories. The second captures flavours of Peruvian music and rhythms, while the third is a ruminative piece framing Rich Perry's tenor saxophone playing. "Cerulean Skies" celebrates the joyful arrival of migratory visitors to New York's Central Park. Finally, the title piece features Steve Wilson's soprano saxophone over rich orchestral writing reflecting a mood of deep personal sadness but an eventually uplifting realisation. The musicians in the orchestra - most of whom have worked with Maria before - perform superbly, to do justice to her excellent material. Bob Wright, UK"

Splendid

Gerald L. Ware | Richmond, VA | 09/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maria Schneider has done it again. On a scale of 1 to 10 I am rating this production a 10 and a 5 Star rating from Downbeat Magazine and no I am not the music critic for that magazine. Keep up the excellent composing Ms. Schneider. Someday we will meet and I will be able to give her the appropriate accolade for her composing skills. You must first be a good listener and without a doubt she is!"