Concert
Maria Schneider studied with George Russell and Bob Brookmeyer, in assisting Gil Evans she took her skills to perfection. Founding her own big band in 1989 she applied her talent to finding the ensemble’s right balance. Like Evans she manages to gather musicians who excel in adding their own personality to the great big band sound.
The list of honours is impressive: The Grammied album Concert in the Garden is followed by ‘jazz album of the year’, ‘composer of the year’ and ‘arranger of the year’ by the Downbeat critics’ poll, ‘large ensemble of the year’ by US jazz journalists and – after 1996 – a second appearance at the Berlin Jazz Festival.
The Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava is a true master of his instrument: In his playing he evokes both images ancient and modern. His creativity leads him from improvised melodies to pieces of music full of esprit and character.
In his current quintet the eminent authority of Italian jazz is playing with four musicians his junior by many years. They excel in turning his instructions into distinguished musical statements.
Maria Schneider – composer, conductor
Steve Wilson – alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flutes
Charles Pillow – alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flutes, oboe, english horn
Rich Perry – tenor sax, flute
Donny McCaslin – tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flute
Scott Robinson – baritone sax, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
Tony Kadleck, Greg Gisbert, Laurie Frink, Ingrid Jensen – trumpet, fluegelhorn
Keith O’Quinn, Rock Ciccarone, Mark Patterson – trombone
George Flynn – bass trombone
Ben Monder – guitar
Frank Kimbrough – piano
Jay Anderson – bass
Clarence Penn – drums
Enrico Rava – trumpet, flugelhorn
Gianluca Petrella – trombone
Andrea Pozza – piano
Rosario Bonaccorso – bass
Roberto Gatto – drums