Soundscapes

Mintzer’s arrangements range from full-blast brass to the subtle shades of woodwinds and flutes, and it is the latter which dominate ‘Whack’, the album’s most interesting track, delivering asymmetric... — Jazzwise, July 2021, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 7th May 2021
Catalogue No: D77082
Label: Jazzline
Length: 68 minutes

Mintzer: A Reprieve

Work length5:53

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: The Conversation

Work length5:50

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: Stay Up

Work length6:13

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: Montuno

Work length5:04

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: Whack

Work length7:18

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: Canyon Winds

Work length7:11

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: Herky Jerky

Work length6:43

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: New Look

Work length9:29

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: One Music

Work length7:51

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

Mintzer: VM

Work length6:33

Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band Cologne

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About

Bob Mintzer has the knack. Whether he developed it during his brief association with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, his two years with the Buddy Rich Big Band, or his time with Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth Big Band is unclear. What is certain, however, is that the great tenor saxophonist has continued to perfect his instincts for orchestration and counterpoint over the years.

With 'Soundscapes', the maestro now returns as leader of the WDR Big Band with ten newly arranged pieces. "At WDR, there is, after all, a tradition that the chief conductor implements a project of his own writing at some point during his tenure," he explains. "So I pulled together some of the things I've written for the band over the last five years, as well as a number of brand new numbers, for this recording."

'Soundscapes', an amalgam of moods, grooves and complex textures, not only showcases Mintzer's work for this widely acclaimed ensemble, but he does double duty. After all, he is also featured as the main soloist on tenor saxophone and the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), while spotlighting other outstanding soloists - such as long-time WDR members Paul Heller on tenor saxophone, Karolina Strassmayer and Johan Horlen on alto saxophone, Ruud Breuls and Andy Haderer on trumpet, and Andy Hunter on trombone. Recorded in December 2019, the album is certainly among the very best of Mintzer's long career.

Reviews

July 2021

Mintzer’s arrangements range from full-blast brass to the subtle shades of woodwinds and flutes, and it is the latter which dominate ‘Whack’, the album’s most interesting track, delivering asymmetric lines and soft atonal shades while a slinky groove unfolds underneath.

October 2021

Mintzer is a wise and creative leader and Soundscapes is just another example of his prodigious talent and ingenuity.

Soundscapes

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Soundscapes

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