Composer Chelsea McBride has previously received warm words on this site for her modern take on the big band recording. She has deftly shrugged off the gravitational pull of jazz past and how a big band jazz album should sound. Much like counterparts Darcy James Argue, Brian Krock, and Ben Cottrell, McBride incorporates modern influences and approaches, and pretty much annihilates all preconceptions of what the big band medium should be, and, instead, illuminates what could be. Her 2019 release Aftermath is the stronger, cohesive grand vision that previous recordings flirted with. The impression of a running narrative exists throughout, and the eccentric flourishes have settled into the body of the compositions so that their personality shines strong without blinding the listener to all else. Aftermath is one of the best big band recordings of 2019, and a reason to be hopeful that the medium will continue to evolve, and thrive, as we dive into 2020.
Your album personnel: Chelsea McBride (tenor sax, conductor, composer), Colleen Allen (soprano & alto saxophones, piccolo, flute, alto flute), Naomi Higgins (soprano & alto saxophones, flute, alto flute), Alison Young (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet), Patrick Smith (tenor & soprano saxophones, flute, clarinet), Conrad Gluch (baritone sax, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, alto flute), James Rhodes, Justin See, Tom Upjohn, Kaelin Murphy (trumpets, flugelhorns), William Carn, Aidan Sibley, Jill Richards (trombones), Nicholas Sieber (bass trombone, tuba), Alex Samaras (voice), Chris Bruder (piano), David Riddel (guitar), Steven Falk (acoustic & electric basses) and Geoff Bruce (drums).
And here we go. Let’s do some more catch-up on notifications about my latest Best Jazz on Bandcamp recommendations posting on The Bandcamp Daily. This monthly installment covers albums for November 2019. There’s ten primary recommendations in total, plus some bonus recommendations, to boot. There’s been no let-up on…
Today's featured videos all were selections in my most recent Best of Bandcamp Jazz column, comprised of recordings released in January 2017, and starting the year off in great fashion. You can read that column on The Bandcamp Daily (go read it). First up is Chelsea McBride's Socialist Night…
It would be a pretty good idea to be in Lexington, KY on Sunday night. One of the very best bassists on the planet is gonna be in town for an October 28th show at the Lyric Theatre. In support of his new album Christian McBride's New Jawn, Christian…
Jan 21 2020
Best of 2019 #57: Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School – “Aftermath”
Your album personnel: Chelsea McBride (tenor sax, conductor, composer), Colleen Allen (soprano & alto saxophones, piccolo, flute, alto flute), Naomi Higgins (soprano & alto saxophones, flute, alto flute), Alison Young (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet), Patrick Smith (tenor & soprano saxophones, flute, clarinet), Conrad Gluch (baritone sax, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, alto flute), James Rhodes, Justin See, Tom Upjohn, Kaelin Murphy (trumpets, flugelhorns), William Carn, Aidan Sibley, Jill Richards (trombones), Nicholas Sieber (bass trombone, tuba), Alex Samaras (voice), Chris Bruder (piano), David Riddel (guitar), Steven Falk (acoustic & electric basses) and Geoff Bruce (drums).
The album is Self-Produced.
Music from Toronto, Ontario.
I wrote about this album for The Bandcamp Daily.
Cool album cover artwork by Arthur Ikuta.
Listen | Read more | Available at: Amazon – Bandcamp
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Now up: November’s Best Jazz on Bandcamp recommendations
And here we go. Let’s do some more catch-up on notifications about my latest Best Jazz on Bandcamp recommendations posting on The Bandcamp Daily. This monthly installment covers albums for November 2019. There’s ten primary recommendations in total, plus some bonus recommendations, to boot. There’s been no let-up on…
In "Announcement - Music"
Best of Bandcamp Jazz videos: Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School, Benoit Lugue, Laurent Rochelle & Marc Sarrazy
Today's featured videos all were selections in my most recent Best of Bandcamp Jazz column, comprised of recordings released in January 2017, and starting the year off in great fashion. You can read that column on The Bandcamp Daily (go read it). First up is Chelsea McBride's Socialist Night…
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Christian McBride is hitting Lexington this Sunday and so should you
It would be a pretty good idea to be in Lexington, KY on Sunday night. One of the very best bassists on the planet is gonna be in town for an October 28th show at the Lyric Theatre. In support of his new album Christian McBride's New Jawn, Christian…
In "Live Jazz"
By davesumner • Recap: Best of 2019 • 0 • Tags: Best Jazz of 2019, Chelsea McBride, Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School, Self-Produced, Toronto (Ontario)