The jazz worlds of Australia and that of the United States seldom merge. Having attended numerous jazz festivals, high school and college bands from Australia occasionally bring bands to showcase their young talent. It is a rarity, however, when American and Aussie section players mix.
That’s what makes this release intriguing. It blends the members of the New York Trumpet Company with top rhythm section players from Perth, Australia, to play music composed by Adrian Kelly. This CD was made possible by a grant from the Australian government, and the NYTC’s owner, Felix Vayser.
Compositions range from the avant/funk of Long Haul Flight to the more mainstream, Curious Yellow, which would please fans of Pat Metheny. Foray into the Unknown is rock driven. The strings of Boheme are featured in the chamber jazz of Delay of Conviction with the trumpets mixed nicely. Intercontinental Drift, the title track, would be at home in any jazz rock arena. It’s back to more intimate confines for Three Days in Saratoga, the main feature for the horns of the NYTC. Trombonist Jeremy Grieg is front and center on Fanfare & Reflections.
Fans of early jazz rock innovators Chicago Transit Authority, would enjoy being brought back to the approachable jazz of Intercontinental Drift.
-Jeff Krow
