ARTEMIS - Artemis
Blue Note Records 0062508937385
Renee Rosnes (pno), Ingrid Jensen (tpt), Melissa Aldana (tnr), Anat Cohen (clt), Noriko Ueda (bs), Allison Miller (drs) Cecile McLorin Salvant (vcl)
Blue Note Records have put together a septet of some of the finest female musicians in in today's modern music, which is almost sure to be both an artistic and commercial success. After only a short time together they have wowed the crowds at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival, as well as featuring on the front covers of Vanity Fair and Downbeat, with a stunning and critically acclaimed set on NPR's "Jazz Night In America" TV show to boot. Each of these fine players are leaders and jazz super stars in their own right. Musical Director Renee Rosnes, who formally led "The San Francisco Jazz Collective" has enjoyed a 35 year career in the music, appearing on over ninety albums along the way. Her fellow Canadian Ingred Jensen, for many years with The Maria Schneider Orchestra, is one of the leading trumpet soloists on the World scene. With personality and charisma to spare she is the first call player for many ensembles of all sizes. Influenced by Michael Brecker and George Coleman, Santiago born Melissa Aldana, although a relative newcomer on the international scene, has quickly grown into one of the most powerful voices among today's tenor players. Grammy award nominee Anat Cohen, from the well known family musical dynasty is one of the busiest players in jazz plays both soprano and tenor, but is best known for her highly individual clarinet sound. Completing the rhythm section with the band are the Japanese bass player and composer Noriko Ueda from the Diva Orchestra and Ted Rosenthal trio, alongside the thrilling New York drummer Allison Miller, who has graced bands led by Kenny Barron and Mike Stern as well as being equally at home in rock or folk music environments. Completing the septet is vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, who is perhaps the most gifted and admired jazz singer to emerged in the last five years.
With such a stellar line up, the listener is entitled to expect music of the highest class, on this the band's debut recording. It is obvious from the opening bars of the first cut, Goddess Of The Hunt, composed by drummer Allison Miller, that few would be in for a disappointing journey. This kicks off in a post bop, mid tempo, full ensemble mode until, Melissa Aldana's tenor takes the first solo. It's strong and vibrant and is answered in kind by trumpeter Ingred Jensen before the unique tonality of Anat Cohen's clarinet reflects back to New Orleans, then shares some telling phrases with the trumpet, before the bright collective close. The bar had been set high and continued through the reflective and sultry ballad Frida by Melissa Aldana, which was highlighted by the superb musical conversation between trumpet and clarinet. Leader, Renee Rosnes piano was key throughout everything, particularly on Ingred Jensen's arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's Fool On The Hill. Big Top, which is soon to be released as a single is atmospheric, up tempo and joyful, fully capturing the mood of the circus, while the band drop into a collective and orchestral mode for the telling vocal skills of Cecile McLorin Salvant on Stevie Wonders If It's Magic. The mysterious and ambient sounds of Anat Cohen's Nocturno illustrated what a real force this lady is becoming as a composer, as well as an instrumentalist. Her clarinet on this number fully confirmed that the instrument does have a place in contemporary jazz, while Noriko Ueda's underlying bass lines were as good as any. Noriko's own composition Step Forward, one of the most melodic pieces of the set, proved that she is also a writer of talent, This one featured another superb contribution from Ingred Jensen, who must surely now be ranked as one of the very best trumpet players in today's jazz.
Cecile McLorin Salvant has already produced some amazing performances in her short career, and her second contribution here stands alongside the very best. Buttercup Cry, a delicate ballad performed with a fair touch of the blues and written by the legendary, ex Manhatten bartender Rocco Accetta was a performance of sheer class and poise. The final cut, Lee Morgan's famous hard bop classic The Sidewinder is a less raw version than the original recording from 1963, Renee Rosnes superb arrangement with the full ensemble just teasing out the opening theme provides layers of unresolved tension, paving the way for more telling contributions from trumpet and clarinet, along with the arrangers own laid back piano solo. All of this superb music was even more elevated from start to finish by the fluidity and invention of Allison Millers excellent drum skills, which should help make this recording a strong candidate in any "Album Of The Year" contest.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Blue Note Records 0062508937385
Renee Rosnes (pno), Ingrid Jensen (tpt), Melissa Aldana (tnr), Anat Cohen (clt), Noriko Ueda (bs), Allison Miller (drs) Cecile McLorin Salvant (vcl)
Blue Note Records have put together a septet of some of the finest female musicians in in today's modern music, which is almost sure to be both an artistic and commercial success. After only a short time together they have wowed the crowds at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival, as well as featuring on the front covers of Vanity Fair and Downbeat, with a stunning and critically acclaimed set on NPR's "Jazz Night In America" TV show to boot. Each of these fine players are leaders and jazz super stars in their own right. Musical Director Renee Rosnes, who formally led "The San Francisco Jazz Collective" has enjoyed a 35 year career in the music, appearing on over ninety albums along the way. Her fellow Canadian Ingred Jensen, for many years with The Maria Schneider Orchestra, is one of the leading trumpet soloists on the World scene. With personality and charisma to spare she is the first call player for many ensembles of all sizes. Influenced by Michael Brecker and George Coleman, Santiago born Melissa Aldana, although a relative newcomer on the international scene, has quickly grown into one of the most powerful voices among today's tenor players. Grammy award nominee Anat Cohen, from the well known family musical dynasty is one of the busiest players in jazz plays both soprano and tenor, but is best known for her highly individual clarinet sound. Completing the rhythm section with the band are the Japanese bass player and composer Noriko Ueda from the Diva Orchestra and Ted Rosenthal trio, alongside the thrilling New York drummer Allison Miller, who has graced bands led by Kenny Barron and Mike Stern as well as being equally at home in rock or folk music environments. Completing the septet is vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, who is perhaps the most gifted and admired jazz singer to emerged in the last five years.
With such a stellar line up, the listener is entitled to expect music of the highest class, on this the band's debut recording. It is obvious from the opening bars of the first cut, Goddess Of The Hunt, composed by drummer Allison Miller, that few would be in for a disappointing journey. This kicks off in a post bop, mid tempo, full ensemble mode until, Melissa Aldana's tenor takes the first solo. It's strong and vibrant and is answered in kind by trumpeter Ingred Jensen before the unique tonality of Anat Cohen's clarinet reflects back to New Orleans, then shares some telling phrases with the trumpet, before the bright collective close. The bar had been set high and continued through the reflective and sultry ballad Frida by Melissa Aldana, which was highlighted by the superb musical conversation between trumpet and clarinet. Leader, Renee Rosnes piano was key throughout everything, particularly on Ingred Jensen's arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's Fool On The Hill. Big Top, which is soon to be released as a single is atmospheric, up tempo and joyful, fully capturing the mood of the circus, while the band drop into a collective and orchestral mode for the telling vocal skills of Cecile McLorin Salvant on Stevie Wonders If It's Magic. The mysterious and ambient sounds of Anat Cohen's Nocturno illustrated what a real force this lady is becoming as a composer, as well as an instrumentalist. Her clarinet on this number fully confirmed that the instrument does have a place in contemporary jazz, while Noriko Ueda's underlying bass lines were as good as any. Noriko's own composition Step Forward, one of the most melodic pieces of the set, proved that she is also a writer of talent, This one featured another superb contribution from Ingred Jensen, who must surely now be ranked as one of the very best trumpet players in today's jazz.
Cecile McLorin Salvant has already produced some amazing performances in her short career, and her second contribution here stands alongside the very best. Buttercup Cry, a delicate ballad performed with a fair touch of the blues and written by the legendary, ex Manhatten bartender Rocco Accetta was a performance of sheer class and poise. The final cut, Lee Morgan's famous hard bop classic The Sidewinder is a less raw version than the original recording from 1963, Renee Rosnes superb arrangement with the full ensemble just teasing out the opening theme provides layers of unresolved tension, paving the way for more telling contributions from trumpet and clarinet, along with the arrangers own laid back piano solo. All of this superb music was even more elevated from start to finish by the fluidity and invention of Allison Millers excellent drum skills, which should help make this recording a strong candidate in any "Album Of The Year" contest.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
