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Millennium Jazz Orchestra: Lookin' East
ByHigh on the list of reasons for the orchestra's stature is the steady leadership of Joan Reinders whose burnished compositions and arrangements not only lend the ensemble its singular personality but enable it to affirm time and again its world-class credentials. Reinders arranged everything on Lookin' East and wrote all but one of its eight handsome melodies (the lone exception is Dirk Wittej's "Mensch, Durf te Leven," whose English equivalent must be left to those more fluent in European dialects).
While Reinders' muse is more Ellington / Kenton than Basie / Herman, the MJO is more disciplined than the Duke's orchestras ever were, and as ardent and brassy when needed as Kenton's well-known archetypes. On Lookin' East he opens with a frisky samba ("Reunification"), then slows the pace on "Mensch" before opening the throttle full bore on the aptly named "Scurry." Tenor Volker Winck is showcased on the even-tempered title song, which precedes the graceful waltz "Nocturne in ¾." Reinders crowns the session with "Duets," the first of whose three disparate themes ("Efcharisto") features trumpeters Suzan Veneman and Jan-Willem te Kiefte. Trombonist Jilt Jansma and baritone Rob Helmers are playmates on "Sorrowful Song," sopranos Winck and Gerlo Hesselink on "Zugzwang."
As it nears the end of its second decade, the MJO affirms that experience, if not the best teacher, will do quite nicely until something more plausible comes along. The section work (including rhythm) on Lookin' East is unerring, the solos consistently bright and engaging. At the heart of it is Reinders, a virtuosic composer / arranger whose remarkable perception charts a steady course for the orchestra and keeps it hastening ceaselessly onward and upward.
Track Listing
Reunification; Mensch, Durf te Leven; Scurry; Lookin’ East; Nocturne in ¾. Duets—Part 1: Efcharisto; Part 2: Sorrowful Song; Part 3: Zugzwang.
Personnel
Joan Reinders
composer / conductorJoan Reinders: composer, arranger, conductor; Sander Zweerink: trumpet, flugelhorn; Suzan Veneman: trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter van Soest: trumpet, flugelhorn; Herman Nijkamp: trumpet, flugelhorn; Jan-Willem te Kiefte: trumpet, flugelhorn; Gerlo Hesselink: alto, soprano sax, piccolo, flute, alto flute; Rob Sijben: alto, soprano sax, flute; Volker Winck: tenor, soprano sax, clarinet; Martin van der Horst: tenor sax, clarinet; Job Helmers: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Jilt Jansma: trombone; Henri Gerrits: trombone; Jochen Niehaves: trombone; Bart van Gorp: bass trombone, tuba; Marius van den Brink: piano; Bart Tarenskeen: bass; Felix Schlarmann: drums.
Album information
Title: Lookin' East | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Joan Reinders
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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