Charles Tolliver Big Band With Love CD

Personnel: Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Charles Tolliver; Todd Bashore (clarinet, alto saxophone); Bill Saxton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Howard Glover "Johnny" Johnson, Howard Johnson (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Jimmy Cozier (alto saxophone); Billy Harper (tenor saxophone); Keyon Harrold, David Guy, David Weiss , Chris Albert, James Zollar (trumpet); Joe Fiedler, Clark Gayton, Jason Jackson (trombone); Aaron Johnson (bass trombone, tuba); Cecil McBee (acoustic bass, upright bass); Craig Handy (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Robert Glasper , Stanley Cowell (piano); Victor Lewis (drums).
Audio Remixer: Malcolm Addey.
Recording information: Bennett Studios, Englewood, NJ (06/02/2006-06/03/2006).
Editor: Malcolm Addey.
Photographer: Jimmy Katz.
Arranger: Charles Tolliver.
Trumpeter Charles Tolliver avoids the usual trap of retro-centric nostalgia inherent to big band settings on this lively 2007 outing. Tolliver's ensemble, which includes members of his fine 1970s outfit Music Inc. Orchestra, unleashes a somewhat raw and ragged energy, and WITH LOVE is all the better for it.
The 16-piece ensemble roars through six Tolliver originals and a Thelonious Monk cover ("'Round Midnight") with a bright, audacious confidence. Tolliver's arrangements make the most of the group's potential for tension, color, and dynamics, and there are plenty of outstanding solos from the musicians on both the modal numbers and the more traditionally melodic pieces.
On the first new release from the Mosaic subsidiary of Blue Note, veteran trumpeter Tolliver finally makes the long awaited big-band recording of the group that has played occasionally in New York City, revived from the remnants of his legendary '70s Music Inc. Orchestra. A bit of the old repertoire ("Mournin' Variations" and "Right Now") and a few former members (Billy Harper, Howard Johnson, Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee) remain from the group that made powerful albums for the Strata East label. The current 16-piece ensemble, at least for this two-day session, has a rougher edge. The music is exciting, joyous, exuberant, and upbeat, but also displays a dense, sometimes messy persona, and has intonation issues. It makes the music less attractive and inconsistent. But the high points are way up in the stratosphere. "Right Now," most familiar to Tolliver fans, roars in modal juggernaut fashion, laden with staccato accents and deft call-and-response. The singing, sweet title cut gives those not familiar with the raucous dynamic the band usually portrays something more centered and singularly melodic. "Mournin' Variations" is the showstopper: as Craig Handy's oriental-flavored flute line, accented by clarinet and bass clarinet, leads to deep counterpoint, Harper's familiar distinctive and robust tenor soloing, witty trombone from Stafford Hunter, and the always poignant and placid pianistics of the brilliant Cowell. Tolliver's bold arrangement, replete with up-and-down dynamics during "'Round Midnight," indicates this band is not fooling around, and playing for keeps. The closer, a new piece "Hit the Spot," is typically kinetic, and a feature for the always spot-on drumming of Victor Lewis, joined by Handy's clean alto saxophone. This CD was nominated in 2007 for a Grammy award as Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. ~ Michael G. Nastos