The David Angel Jazz Ensemble - Out on the Coast

The David Angel Jazz Ensemble - Out on the Coast - Basset Hound Productions

The David Angel Jazz Ensemble grew out of the rehearsal band that Angel began in 1969. While the group featured many West Coast jazz giants over the years, it currently consists of 13 top-notch players to showcase Angel's compositions and arrangements. While Angel is one of the most respected composers/arrangers on the West Coast; however, he is virtually unknown to the general public. Jim Self wanted to correct this by documenting his music. 

The members of the ensemble are David Angel - tenor sax, conductor; Phil Feather - alto & soprano sax, piccolo, flute, alto flute; Gene Cipriano - alto & soprano sax, clarinet; Jim Quam - tenor sax, clarinet; Tom Peterson - tenor sax, flute, alto flute; Bob Carr - baritone sax, bass clarinet; Jonathan Dane - trumpet, flugelhorn; Ron Stout - trumpet, flugelhorn; Stephanie O'Keefe - horn; Scott Whitfield - trombone; Jin Self - tuba, bass trombone; John Chiodini - guitar; Susan Quam - bass; and Paul Kreibich - drums. This ensemble laid down 22 tracks in just four days, right before the pandemic hit. There are 15 original compositions by Angel and his arrangements of seven standards. These are spread over three discs containing two and 3/4 hours worth of music. 

In the booklet that accompanies this 3 CD set, Jim Self observes, "This group is not so much a big band, but a 13 piece jazz chamber ensemble. Every chart has extensive space for jazz solos. I like to describe his stuff as 'Gil Evans meets J. S. Bach" – let that sink into your mind! Imagine the jazz harmonic complexities of Evans with the Polyphonic lines of Bach. …"

Angel's writing is striking and fresh to these ears. The set opens with "Out on the Coast 2," one of four such named pieces. It starts with a sax trio before the full band joins in swinging with a crisp, measure sound that evokes to these ears an expanded Clifford Brown-Max Roach band. Guitarist Chiodoni takes a choice, skillfully constructed solo here. There is a Latin-accented arrangement for the Arthur Schwartz standard, "Alone Together," with a superb trumpet solo from Jonathan Dane. Angel certainly captures the essence of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" that features a gorgeous Gene Cipriano alto sax solo set against the handsome setting Angel crafted.

"Ah Rite!" is a swinger opening with Bob Carr's husky baritone sax, with mood and tempo shifts along with another strong Dane trumpet solo, Scott Mayfield's plunger mute trombone, and a vital ensemble sax section. After this unique blues, we are treated to the impressionistic "Wild Strawberries," with its lush horn voicings. Jim Self takes a lengthy solo on Johnny Mandel's "Hershey Bar." Tenor saxophonist Tom Peterson takes the spotlight on "Loverman," again, with Angel providing a glorious framework for his playing. One can hear the classical influences in Angel's compositions in the waltz, "Leaves," as well as his interpretation of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lonesome Thing." Scott Whitfield's trombone is showcased on "Leaves," while the warmth of Stephanie O'Keefe's French horn takes the spotlight on the Strayhorn classic. 

Hopefully, this sampling of the performances provides an idea of the range of music heard here that is only touched on here. Jim Self and David Angel comment on each selection, and the soloists on each track are identified in the accompanying booklet. This information enhances the pleasures one has listening to the superb performances on an outstanding big band jazz recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is an interview with David Angel & Jim Self discussing this release.