Maria Schneider expresses the need for civility thru orchestral jazz…
Maria Schneider – American Crow – Artist Share #AS 0245 – CD – 30:02 – *****
(Maria Schneider – composer, conductor; Steve Wilson – alto, soprano, alto flute, flute; Dave Pietro – alto, clarinet, piccolo; Rich Perry – tenor; John Ellis – tenor; Scott Robinson – baritone, bass and contrabass clarinets; Tony Kadleck – trumpet; Greg Gisbert – trumpet; Nadje Noordhuis – trumpet; Mike Rodriguez – trumpet; Keith O’Quinn – trombone; Ryan Keberle – trombone; Marshall Gilkes – trombone; George Flynn – bass and contrabass trombones;
Julien Labro – accordion; Jeff Miles – guitar; Gary Versace – piano; Jay Anderson – bass; Johnathan Blake – drums)
Orchestra leader, Maria Schneider, has never shied away from tackling major issues of the day, in which she uses her brilliant big band jazz orchestra to reach her audience. On her 2020 release, Data Lords, she took on the issue of advocating for artists digital rights, and how “big data” has intruded on our lives and privacy. That release won numerous awards, including both Critics and Readers polls of Downbeat magazine.
On her new CD, American Crow, you couldn’t find a more timely issue than how we have separated in “camps” now in our country, with both sides viewing each other as “enemies.” This division has been enabled by media that feeds division to support revenue. It’s labeled as “left” vs. “right,” with no room, or effort to compromise.
As inspiration for this project, Maria has taken how American crows let out their cacophonous “caws,” when agitated. The sound is shrill and can drown out any communication for those below. In addition, it can be viewed as a warning.
That’s apt for today’s lack of civility. Expressed musically through Schneider’s title track, there is initially a gorgeous horn fanfare. As the piece progresses, there is an extended plaintive trumpet solo from Mike Rodriguez. Soon, however, the trumpets using solotone mutes begin “cawing” signifying unease, and the saxophones up the ante. There is a distinct musical feel of agitation, and competition with Rodriguez holding down the fort, aided by Jeff Miles’ guitar. As the tune ends, there is some lessening of tension, but no resolution. Such it is the case with occasional efforts failing, in our current environment, with lack of trust between people of differing views.
The beautiful hand crafted “stitched” cardboard album packaging includes inspiring quotes from Proverbs, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Winston Churchill, and others expressing the need for listening with open minds to our fellow citizens with the hope that we can lower the temperature enough to elicit compromise.
In addition to an alternate take of “American Crow,” there is also a free form guitar driven track, “A World Lost,” revisited from Data Lords, that blends the Americana motifs in which Maria excels, with a distinctive rock feel. There is also a somberness here fostered by the accordion drone from Julien Labro. In addition, Maria also adds a field recording of American crow vocalizations that aid her inspiration for this project.
A special treat that is added to the release is a card that gives the listener, using an online code, access to a video, where Schneider discusses how she came up with the idea for American Crow, as well as rehearsals and other surprise “treats” that inspire and reward listeners.
This CD was funded through contributions on the ArtistShare label (rightfully with a focus on supporting musicians to share their vision without commercial interference.)
This is a “must have” purchase for fans of Maria Schneider, and those that love orchestral jazz, with a heavy dose of Americana bliss. She is truly our present day Aaron Copland, a national treasure.
—Review by Jeff Krow
American Crow
Tracklist:
American Crow
A World Lost
field recordings of American Crow vocalizations
American Crow Revisited (alternate take)
