Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Bernstein Reimagined

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Bernstein Reimagined - MCG Jazz

"Bernstein Reimagined" is the result of a concert the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) performed in 2018, the year of the Bernstein centenary. SJMO Artist Director and conductor Charlie Young noted discussions among directors of various artistic programs to honor Bernstein that year. "I imagined the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra presenting a grand concert of Bernstein's music … "Re-imagining Leonard Bernstein for this occasion required examining some of his compositions rarely associated with jazz. The resulting concert was a blast!" 

The re-imagination avoids the usual suspects such as the oft-explored West Side Story songs or those songs that have become jazz standards. Instead, the project's five arrangers – Jay Ashby, Darryl Brenzel, Scott Silbert, Mike Tomaro, and Steve Williams – tackle lesser-known corners of Bernstein's output such as symphonic works, spiritual music, operas, and his sole film score, "On the Waterfront." 

The album opens with "Times Square Ballet," one of three pieces from the Broadway show "On the Town." "On the Town" was Bernstein's first Broadway show, although part of Bernstein's music was dropped from the film adaptation that many are familiar with. Scott Silbert wrote the arrangement of this suite that includes "New York, New York." Silbert's clarinet and Steve Williams alto sax stand out here. Also from "On the Town" is Mike Tomaro's arrangement of "The Great Lover," on which Silbert's tenor saxophone is among those showcased. Darryl Brenzel provides a reflective mood to the arrangement of "Lonely Town," with Tom Williams' blues-inflected trumpet.

Charlie Young takes a rhapsodic solo on "Dream For Me," which was incidental music for the play "Peter Pan." Jay Ashby's arrangement makes use of flutes, clarinet, and bass clarinet to surround the melody. Among the most imaginative arrangements is Steve Williams' one for "Waltz." This is based on a movement from Bernstein's 'Divertimento For Orchestra", in which the groove is transformed into a reggae one with steel pans used to state the melody. Victor Prevost is the marvelous steel pan player here. Darryl Brenzel's arrangement for "Chichester Psalms I" provides a high-spirited setting with an outstanding Luis Hernandez's tenor sax solo.

Leonard Bernstein was not a jazz composer, although there is a jazzy quality to much of his compositions that have been developed in many memorable jazz performances. SMJO has added to the body of jazz performance and recording of Bernstein's music in this enlightening and engaging album.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra performs Times Square Ballet."