I cannot recommend this album highly enough.
Enja 9852
Franco Ambrosetti – flugelhorn; Alan Broadbent – piano, arranger, conductor; John Scofield – guitar; Scott Colley – bass; Peter Erskine – drums; Sara Caswell – violin, concertmaster
There is something special about the blending of string orchestra and jazz soloist, and listening to this latest release from Ambrosetti this is indeed very special. Just a quick glance at the personnel, a jazz ensemble featuring John Scofield, Scott Colley and Peter Erskine is not a bad place to start from, the senses are aroused in expectation of what is about to be heard.
But as we all know a great line up does not always guarantee great music, so why should an album of ballads for jazz group and orchestra work so well? Here the music is built on mutual trust, understanding of each other’s playing, and not forgetting the earlier album Nora released in 2022.
It would be unfair to say that Nora was a run through in preparation for greater things, as it too is a fine album in its own right but does occupy a different musical perspective in terms of the material and tempos deployed.
If anything, the emphasis on ballads all composed by jazz musicians seems to focus the mind, and the arrangements by Alan Broadbent incorporate a wide variety of textures that not only compliment but enhance the composition while giving the improvising musicians plenty of scope.
The other big difference in the music is the addition of woodwinds and brass to the string orchestra, and by Broadbent taking over the role of pianist as well as conductor. As a piano player Broadbent thinks orchestrally, and his playing often picks up musical ideas, maybe a just a couple of notes, and manages to sweep them up into a grand swells or melodic layers that feed into the solos or orchestral arrangement as if they were always meant to be there.
As the main soloist, Ambrosetti’s gentle yet full sounding flugelhorn is perfectly at home, and Franco is able to fulfil his wish to play fewer notes while making every one count. This he certainly does and his playing has a quite grandeur that sits well within the arrangements.
Scofield reveals himself to be the most versatile of guitarists as his accompaniment and solos have all the trademarks that make him instantly recognisable but still fit in the concept of another musical mind in a manner that is completely seamless. Colley and Erskine provide a flexible yet unobtrusive rhythmic backdrop for the flugelhorn to breathe life the scores and Ambrosetti’s solos appear effortless.
The choice of repertoire is almost impossible to find fault with, and ‘Portrait of Jennie’ is a close to perfection as it is possible to get, as is Charlie Haden’s ‘Nightfall’. Ambrosetti also weighs in with some heavyweight pieces in ‘Colours of the Wind’ in which strings and flutes combine to wondaful effect, and the title track in which he sets aside his flugelhorn and features violinist and concertmaster, Sara Caswell that leaves one spellbound by her playing as she takes the role of soloist.
The only conundrum here is not whether to buy the album but should one plump for the vinyl edition or the CD? My listening preference, when having the opportunity to listen with no distractions is for vinyl (you cannot pause an LP and the listening is more focussed), but the CD due to the extended playing time has an additional track in Alan Broadbent’s ‘Old Friends’ which I would not really want to be without either.
For purchasers of the vinyl there doesn’t seem to be the offer of a download code to obtain the track digitally, but ‘Old Friends’ does appear to be available on streaming platforms. A compromise that might not sit comfortably with all, but as they you pays your money and takes your choice.
However you choose to buy the album you will not be disappointed with the quality of the music, and as such I cannot recommend this album highly enough.
