THE VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

Nasty Dance by Bob Brookmeyer

If you weren’t paying attention to what was going on in New York for several years and in particular at the Village Vanguard, you may not have been aware of a lot of the very innovative work that the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra was doing and especially the things they were doing with Bob Brookmeyer.  We all remember him from his work as a valve trombone player with Gerry Mulligan and later as an arranger for Mulligan’s Concert Jazz band. But if we took a nap for a while and moved west we might have been unaware how his writing style went through a major change and ultimately ended up with what you hear on this recording. While it’s totally different from what we might remember of him,  it is equally wonderful and perhaps a lot more innovative

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The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra has its roots in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, which began as a rehearsal band that took over the Village Vanguard on its once closed Monday nights. Even with the departure of Thad Jones and the death of Mel Lewis, the orchestra has lasted for over four decades, drawing some of the top players in New York City into its ranks, buoyed by outstanding works collected in its library over time. The band heard on this trip to Japan in November 2010 had a few substitutions, as regulars Jim McNeely (piano) and Rich Perry (tenor sax) had other commitments, but just as that happens in Manhattan, able substitutes (Michael Weiss and Walt Weiskopf, respectively) took their places for three nights in Tokyo, just a few months before the devastation of the tsunami. The band recorded six sets and 55 songs, so it was a challenge to pair down to just 13 for this two-CD set. But fans of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra won't be the least bit disappointed when they hear the big sound of the band, with an appreciative audience. McNeely contributed several originals, including the turbulent "You Tell Me" showcasing the tenors of Weiskopf and Ralph Lalama, along with the raucous "Extra Credit" in which trombonist Luis Bonilla steals the show. Thad Jones' compositions remain a core of the band's library, including an explosive rendition of "Central Park North" (showcasing trumpeters Scott Wendholt and Terell Stafford plus Billy Drews' intricate soprano sax) in addition to the majestic "Don't Ever Leave Me" (highlighted by Dick Oatts' playful flute). Another band alum, Bob Brookmeyer, contributed the tense "Nasty Dance" with its unusual growling brass ensembles behind the sax section. Considering how rarely jazz bands of this size are able to go overseas (let alone tour the U.S.), tickets for these concerts must have been greatly in demand among the rabid Tokyo jazz fans. At least other audiences can enjoy highlights of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's brief 2010 tour of Japan.

-All About Jazz-

Bob Brookmeyer

Arranger, Composer

Thad Jones

Arranger, Composer

Jim McNeely

Arranger, Composer

Bob Mintzer

Arranger

Migiwa Miyajima

Artistic Director, Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)

David Wong

Bass

Billy Drewes

Clarinet, Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)

Ralph Lalama

Clarinet, Flute, Sax (Tenor)

John Mosca

Director, Lead, Liner Notes, Trombone

John Riley

Drums

Nick Marchione

Flugelhorn, Lead, Trumpet

Tanya Darby

Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Terell Stafford

Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Scott Wendholt

Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Walt Weiskopf

Flute, Sax (Tenor)

Michael Weiss

Piano

Gary Smulyan

Sax (Baritone)

Luis Bonilla

Trombone

Jason Jackson

Trombone