Gabriel Evan Orchestra - Global Entry

Gabriel Evan Orchestra - Global Entry - Self-produced

An unsung small group of the swing era, the John Kirby Sextet, is celebrated on a new recording by New York saxophonist Gabriel Evan. The Kirby Sextet was a celebrated group on 52nd Street in the 1930s with their chamber musical approach to jazz (predating by over. Decade the Modern Jazz Quartet) that included reworking classical compositions, as well as place their own spin on pop and other numbers. Evan's Orchestra is a sextet. In addition to Evan on alto & soprano saxophones, the Orchestra members are Joe Goldberg on clarinet and tenor saxophone, John Zarsky on trumpet, Joe Kennedy on piano, Ben Fox on upright bass, and Michael Voelker on drums and percussion. This two reed, trumpet, and rhythm section line-up is similar to the Kirby sextet line-up.

Bassist Kirby's band included trumpeter Charlie Shavers who also did a fair share of arranging for the band. Evan, who made most of the arrangements here, used three of Shavers' arrangements along with one arrangement by Frankie Trumbauer. The opening "Waltz of the Flowers" finds Evan emulating Shavers' arranging style in this delightful, diverting reworking of Tchaikovsky's waltz into a swing number. With the clean ensemble playing and crisp rhythmic approach, this is a music of definite charm. 

There is a fascinating repertoire on this recording, including an early Cuban number, "Rumba Azul," played with a supple feel; there is also a lively rendition of an early Duke Ellington swinger, "Jubilee Stomp." Then there is a Mid-Eastern flavor to the sextet's version of Henry Mancini's "Lujon."

"Arabian Nightmare" is one of three Charlie Shavers arrangements on the record and a lively take on Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade." Another Shavers arrangement is of Shavers' "Effervescent Blues." A performance of this last number by the Kirby Sextet can be heard on the Savory Collection reissues, whether on Mosaic Records or on Apple Music. 

Evan's "South 5th Street" is a relaxed, spirited swinger. At the same time, his "Negotiations of South Williamsburg" spotlights Goldberg's clarinet on a klezmer-tinged performance that starts lethargically before transitioning into a brisk tempo. Then, Evan's adaptation of Ben Johnson's 1616 poem, "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes," transforms the Elizabethan poem into a 52nd Street swing number with Zarsky and Kennedy standing out. 

"Global Entry" is an unexpected delight with a first-class ensemble providing noteworthy renditions of a most intriguing and surprising repertoire. 

I received a download to review from a publicist. Here is "Rumba Azul" from this album.