The Jack Jeffers N.Y. Classics Big Band – New York Dances – Mapleshade

by | Mar 31, 2008 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

The Jack Jeffers N.Y. Classics Big Band – New York Dances – Mapleshade Productions 03632 *****:

Pierre Sprey is Mr. Mapleshade, and his friend and recording artist Hamiet Bluiett called him enthusiastically about a little big band he had heard in NYC. He said Jack Jeffers was an experienced leader and bass trombonist who had kept this band of 12 players together for almost a dozen years, using his connections as a studio and band contractor. And that he had some great compositions plus unusual orchestrations and arrangements.

It wasn’t long before the entire band traveled down to Maryland and crammed themselves into the Mapleshade studio where his impactful disc was recorded. Though the wildly cooking band plays in a sort of Ellington style, there are only two Ellington compositions on this CD: Mood Indigo and Caravan. Jeffers has written a five-movement suite titled New York Will Keep You Dancing, which echoes some of the ideas found in Ellington’s many colorful suites.

Jack Jeffers played in bands like Basie’s, Dizzy’s, Maynard Ferguson and Ray Charles, and in the the mid-60s was band manager for Clark Terry’s big band. He formed the New York Classics in l988.  The band has a fresh new sound, with brilliant writing for the brass. Part of the impact of the ensemble is the presence and transparency of Mapleshade’s recording.  All the players are arrayed right there in front of you with equal aural paths to each – not an amorphous mass of sound with one soloist unnaturally spotlit acoustically when he’s  doing a solo.  Dig it!

TrackList:
DUOF March, Mood Indigo, Say Amen Brothers, First Time at Last, Sweet Emma, Corcovado, SUITE: New York Will Keep You Dancing – Laura’s Little Waltz, No Mas Merengue, Summer Night, Sidewalk Samba, Legs for Days; Caravan, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.

 – John Henry

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