Live from SPACE

Jazz repertory orchestras have been around for some time now. Most people have seen or heard of the superb Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, based in New York City and led by Wynton Marsalis. Many other cities have followed that ensemble's example and developed outstanding groups based on the same model. It may surprise some to know that in Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) has been doing repertory concerts longer even than the Lincoln Center band-since 1978.

The CJO serves as an ongoing witness to the great eras of big band jazz. Historicism of this sort has constituted a lively a substratum in jazz since the late 1930s, following the publication of Jazzmen (1939, Frederic Ramsey and Charles Edward Smith), the first book-length history of jazz written in the United States. This and other interest in jazz research resulted in the first neo-traditional movement in jazz led by such musicians as Lu Watters and Turk Murphy in the 1940s and 1950s. Since that time, there have been numerous examples of historically influenced jazz bands playing re-creations and creative interpretations of genres including Dixieland, swing, and cool jazz.

The CJO has recorded in recent years several albums that have received critical acclaim. Most notable is Porgy and Bess (Americana Music 2004), featuring the great trumpeter Clark Terry in a resetting of the sublime Gi Evans orchestration of George Gershwin's classic folk opera. The recording received a five-star rating from DownBeat Magazine and was listed as one of the "Best CDs of the 2000s" in that magazine's January 2010 issue. More recent albums include the CD releases of Burstin' Out (Origin 2013), featuring the fabulous Cyrille Aimée on vocals, and Keeping My Composure (C3 Records 2006), spotlighting the great compositional talents of guitarist Charley Harrison.

 

The albums with Cyrille and Charley Harrison, the earlier Diggin' In (Sea Breeze 1993), and this new live recording demonstrate that the CJO is not only a repertory group, but first and foremost a jazz band that, in addition to performing and recording historic reimaginations, contributes new music to the repertory. In Live From SPACE you will hear a few of the old classics (for example, Billy Byer's "Doodle-Oodle" and Billy Strayhorn's exquisite "Chelsea Bridge" played by the great Eric Schneider) as well as lots of fresh material. Most of the newer material has been contributed by our trombonist Tom Garling, one of the most creative and exciting big band composer/arrangers on the scene today. His masterful work here includes innovative updates of Clifford Brown's "Daahoud" and Phil Woods' version of the original "Theme From Star Trek." Also by Tom is an arrangement of Ahmad Jamal's "Ahmad's Blues." Originally commissioned for the Chicago Jazz Festival (Jazz Institute of Chicago), "Ahmad's Blues" features the remarkably creative Dan Trudell on piano as well as the rest of our incredible rhythm section.

Also on this recording you will hear Monty Alexander's "You Can See," arranged by Jimmy Heath, and an amazing tour de force by Al Cohn titled "Lady Chatterley's Mother," originally written for the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band.

Finally, it was our great fortune to enlist the one and only Bill Holman (going strong at 89 years young) for a contribution to this project. His composition, "A Matter of Time," is a treasure, having all the delightful characteristics of a Holman original: witty, surprising, and swinging! Heartfelt thanks go to our friends Fred and Maria Stare, to whom this commission is dedicated.

On this recording you will hear solos and ensemble playing by some of the best musicians in the world. Space simply does not permit one to cite the accomplishments of these great musicians. Every member is a superb section player (including the greatest lead trumpet player I have ever worked with, Danny Barber). Virtually every player is a world-class soloist. Every reed player is an expert multi-instrumentalist (interestingly, all are killing jazz tenor sax soloists). The rhythm section is one of the greatest in a long line of historically influential Chicago trios. Many of the musicians are also bandleaders and top composers in their own right. All of that said, I think you will agree: the playing here simply speaks for itself.

The long staying power of the CJO would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of its leader, Jeff Lindberg. The Jazz Members Big Band, as the CJO was originally named, was first co-led by Jeff and the late trumpeter Steve Jensen. Since Steve's passing, Jeff has been the sole leader. One can barely fathom the countless hours Jeff has spent in transcribing full orchestrations from recordings (try doing that!), mounting creative concerts, completing recording projects, and overseeing ongoing personnel management. Add to that the countless hours spent driving back and forth between Chicago and his hometown of Wooster, Ohio, where he serves as a professor of music at The College of Wooster and Music Director of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra. Without his efforts, the band would probably not exist today. And one can say the same thing about the valuable assistance our orchestra receives from our staff and board of directors.

These notes were written by Art Davis, fourth trumpet player and jazz soloist of the CJO. Not long ago, I was informed that I am the only remaining sideman from the original band--now that's sobering! But it has been an adventure and an honor, to say the least, to be a part of this history. I hope will you enjoy listening to this latest offering of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.

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Art Davis, 2017