The Big Crazy Energy New York Band is the brainchild of trombonist / composer Jens Wendelboe. Originally from Norway Jens made his way to the US and settled in New York to study music composition at the Manhattan School of Music. In addition to keeping himself busy composing and fronting his own orchestra since 1984, he has also served as musical director for Donna Summers and in 2006 he joined Blood, Sweat and Tears.
On his latest album with his orchestra entitled Inspirations Wendelboe wanted to combine orchestrations of some of the American and British masters of jazz and pop with his own compositions that were written in the same style. The result is an inspired and engaging collection of nine songs which throws elements of big band jazz, classical and pop all into one big glorious melting pot.
In addition to featuring a plethora of sparkling performances from his large ensemble of seventeen musicians Inspirations definitely highlights Wendelboe's unlimited prowess as a composer and master arranger. The compositions he has chosen to interpret are worthy of mention just because it's a varied list.
The party kicks into overdrive immediately with a rousing rendition of Billy Cobham's "Plesant Pheasant" which is a bouncy, funky track packed to the hilt with a cracking horn section and a sizzling dual sax battle between Mark Fineberg and Ken Gioffre. After Bill Heller's synth solo takes over Wendleboe's dazzling trombone solo closes out this magnificent six and half minute track as the horn section returns to wrap things up by reprising the main theme of the song. After such an exuberant opening the band downshifts into a classy take on the jazz standard "Dear Old Stockholm", which in addition to featuring another suave, articulate trombone solo, Jens also throws in a bit of vocal scatting as well.
Other musical highlights on this disc include Wendleboe's original compositions "Seasons Wander" (featuring a great vocal by Deb Lyons), the smooth sounds of "Ear Trumpet" and the tender sounding ""I Know, Later" which is dedicated to his son. Inspirations concludes with a swinging version of The Beatles masterpiece "A Day In The Life". The band does a fantastic job here as their colorful arrangement brings out all the subtle nuances of the original version and then some.
Jens Wendleboe is certainly a cat who takes his music seriously but at the same time you can feel that the vibe throughout the course of this recording is loose and that the musicians are having fun and the listener can sense this . If you're into sophisticated, big band jazz then I'd definitely recommend checking out Inspirations because it's a winner from start to finish.
Track Listing
1) Pleasant Pheasant
2) Ack Värmland du Schöna (Dear Old Stockholm)
3) Seasons Wander
4) Boone Dog Café
5) Out Of The Night
6) Ear Trumpet
7) I Know, Later
8) Gloria's Steps & More
9) A Day In The Life
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