Tributes

Artist: Phil Nimmons
Label: Sackville Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 2

UPC: 778133500321
EAN: 0778133500321
ASIN: B00000174U

Release Date: 2007-01-04

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General

| Jazz | Styles | Music

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Contemporary Big Band

| Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Harbours - Phil Nimmons
Islands - Phil Nimmons
Tides - Phil Nimmons
Horizons - Phil Nimmons
Dorian Way - Phil Nimmons
Suite P.E.I. - Phil Nimmons,
St. Pierre et Miquelon - Phil Nimmons,

Tracks:

Think Nice Thoughts - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Do I Know You - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Birdburger - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Ros - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Bubble Trouble - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Eee-Suave - Phil Nimmons, Tributes
Friends Departed - Phil Nimmons, Tributes

Customer Reviews:

4 & 1/2 stars Reissue of Nimmons masterpiece plus.......2002-01-11

Phil Nimmons has been one of, and perhaps THE, premier Canadian jazz composer and arranger since the 1950's, leading groups ranging from 9 to 16 musicians. He is not as well known as some, but every note he writes and plays is well worth hearing over and over again.
This double CD includes what I consider to be Nimmons' masterwork - the Atlantic Suite, recorded in 1975 and inspired by his 16 piece band's tour of Canada's Atlantic provinces in 1974. His four part work for jazz orchestra captures the beauty, peace, and mysterious power and strength of Maritime Canada. Farley Mowat's beautiful liner notes are a joy to read as you listen to the music.
Yet as with Ellington's "tone parallels" the Atlantic Suite stands on its own as a compelling and powerful work quite apart from the geography which inspired it. It is a modern piece, rooted not in the swing era, but in modern big band jazz from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Nimmons' big band interprets the work beautifully and memorably. Several fine soloists are featured, particulary Herbie Spanier on trumpet, Keith Jollimore and Art Ellefson on saxophone, Andy Krehm on guitar, Dave Field on bass and Nimmons himself on clarinet. Nimmons' writing has plenty of sectional work along with a full ensemble sound and lots of "bottom." (And yes, there is a baritone sax in the band). The original recorded sound on the LP was superbly clear and is even enhanced by the digital transfer. Another fine piece here, the Dorian Way, was part of original LP, and though not part of the Atlantic Suite has become very much associated with it. I have loved the Atlantic Suite album since I first heard it more than 25 years ago and listening to it again on CD is a powerful musical experience. I consider the Atlantic Suite to be one of the finest achievements in Canadian jazz.

And there's more. Included on this 2 CD set is the 17 minute live recording of Suite P.E.I. a 1973 feature for Nimmons' fine clarinet improvising backed by some of Canada's finest jazz musicians. There's little solo room for them, but there is some nice interplay between Nimmons and guitarist Ed Bickert. The writing in Suite P.E.I. gives us a small taste of what was to come in the Atlantic Suite.

But the big bonus in this CD set is nearly 75 minutes of Nimmons' big band from a studio recording in 1979. Again the writing is superb, perhaps even more straight-ahead and swinging than in the Atlantic Suite. Highlights include the jaunty theme and trumpet soloing of Mike Malone on "St. Pierre et Miquelon"; the trombone section work on "Think Nice Thoughts"; Nimmons' tribute to Frank Rosolino "Ros" which is an unexpected but very effective slow blues powered by excellent solos from trombonist Dave McMurdo and pianist Gary Williamson; and most notably, Nimmons' superbly moving tribute to Ellington "EEE". This piece is big band jazz writing at its best.

My rating is 5 stars for the Atlantic Suite; 4 stars for Suite P.E.I. and 4&1/2 stars for the 1979 big band session. This 2 Cd package is recommended without reservation for lovers of modern big band jazz. Once you've lived with it for a while, it will stay in your heart and mind forever.

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