Gerald Wilson New York, New Sound CD

NEW YORK NEW SOUND was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

This star-studded party led by long-revered Gerald Wilson reads like a roll call of jazz history past and present. Something of a great-grandfather to the tradition, Wilson has worked as a composer, arranger, and trumpeter for the likes of Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few. Here Wilson is joined by old friends and luminaries such as trumpeter Clark Terry, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, and pianist Kenny Barron.

NEW YORK, NEW SOUND gets off to a blistering start with a version of Miles Davis's "Milestones" that's as relentless and acrobatic as the original. The spectral, repetitious figures of John Coltrane's "Equinox" do not lose their intimate intensity in this large ensemble setting, instead they are enhanced, and solos from pianist Renee Rosnes and trombonist Benny Powell are true to the exploratory nature of the piece. The rest of the compositions are Wilson's, two of which--"Viva Tirado" and "M Capetillo"--are in a decidedly Latin mode. The impressionistic "Teri" features gorgeous guitar by Anthony Wilson, and the three-part suite "Theme from Monterey" showcases the composer's penchant for Ellington-inspired orchestral work. The old-school elegance and expertise found in Wilson's writing and arrangements, and the energy and adventurousness of the players, make this a very fine record.

Long associated with the L.A. jazz scene, Gerald Wilson traveled to N.Y.C.'s Clinton Recording Studio to record this album which was produced by Crusaders founder and Mack Avenue president Stix Hooper. Featured soloists in this 18-piece band are some of

Jesse Davis (alto saxophone); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); Jimmy Heath (tenor saxophone); Jay Branford (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jon Faddis, Jimmy Owens, Eddie Henderson, Frank Greene, Sean Jones (trumpet); Benny Powell, Luis Bonilla, Dennis Wilson, Douglas Purviance (trombone); Kenny Barron, Renee Rosnes (piano); Anthony Wilson, Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar); Larry Ridley, Trey Henry, Bob Cranshaw (bass); Lewis Nash, Stix Hooper (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York, New York.

Personnel: Oscar Castro-Neves, Anthony Wilson (guitar); Jerry Dodgion (flute, alto saxophone); Frank Wess (flute, tenor saxophone); Jesse Davis (alto saxophone); Jimmy Heath (tenor saxophone); Jay Brandford (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Owens, Jon Faddis, Sean Jones, Frank Greene (trumpet); Dennis Wilson , Luis Bonilla, Benny Powell, Douglas Purviance (trombone); Kenny Barron, Renee Rosnes (piano); Lewis Nash, Stix Hooper (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Franz Pusch.

Liner Note Author: Harvey Siders.

Recording information: Clinton Recording Studios, New York, NY (02/2003).

Arranger: Gerald Wilson.

Personnel: Gerald Wilson (arranger); Jerry Dodgion (alto saxophone, flute);