Search - Resonance Big Band :: Resonance Big Band Plays Legacy of Oscar Peterson

A singular recording for a number of reasons.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 03/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll try to refrain from "gushing" and point out the compelling reasons for picking up this album or at least taking it with more than the usual amount of seriousness afforded jazz releases of the past decade:



1. The days of major labels investing capital in worthy recording projects appear to be gone forever. Instead, most releases are on small, independent labels and are produced at the lowest possible cost. Gone are the large orchestras, top arrangers and orchestrations, world class pianos, paid rehearsal time, and renowned critics who write liner notes. They've been replaced by synthesizers, MP3 files, portable recording units and mixers--bare bones budgets that would never be able to approach the artistry of, say, Shirley Horn-Johnny Mandel's "Here's to Life" or to reconstruct "Ellington at Newport 1956," one of the costliest and most important reissues before the decline of CD sales.



2. The Resonance Big Band is a mixture of veteran musicians, such as Bill Evans' last drummer Joe LaBarbara, and scintillating young virtuosos, such as pianist Marian Petruscu and guitarist Andreas Oberg, both of whom simply have to be heard to be believed. Petruscu appears to have come out of the woodwork, unfamiliar to most of us, yet he approaches Oscar Peterson's technique, touch, and command of the keyboard to a greater degree than possibly any living pianist. If some of the Oscar's forceful swing is not as yet present, just give him a bit more time to experience playing with a tightly-knit rhythm section. But no need to take this listener's word for it. Check out the free tracks and videos of him on the Resonance Records website or his hour-long performance on the jazz page of the NPR website.



4. Everything from the arrangements to the execution attests to careful planning and rehearsing. This is not one of those quickly assembled, glorified "jam sessions."



5. The focus on Oscar Peterson assures a unified, focused program as well as mainstream, swinging music with the widest appeal and accessibility to a large audience. Even those listeners who, upon hearing some of the shabby offerings--many imports--of the present millennium, think that they don't like or "get" jazz owe it to themselves to withhold judgment until listening to an album such as this. You won't find many more like it--at least not jazz albums produced within the past 7-8 years. This is the kind of project that deserves the support of anyone who cares about the music--but be assured that the primary gains are the listener's."

Phenomenal Big Band Recording!

D. Lee | Chicago, IL USA | 09/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Incredible arrangements, talented musicians, memorable solos...what more could you ask for? Well, you also get a pianist who is not only talented, but captures the very essence of Oscar Peterson in his playing. PLUS, it sounds amazing. The recording quality is that good. If you like big band, I can not think of a single reason why anyone would not love this CD."