Composer-arranger Jon Schapiro, currently a professor at Yeshiva University, formed Schapiro17 as a vehicle for his writing and to showcase some of New York's top musicians. The members on this recording are trumpets: Bryan Davis, Andy Gravish, Eddie Allen, Noyes Bartholomew; trombones: Alex Jeun, Deborah Weisz, Nick Grinder, Walter Harris saxophones: Rob Wilkerson, Candace DeBartolo, Paul Carlon, Rob Middleton, Matt Hong piano: Roberta Piket; guitar: Sebastian Noelle; bass: Evan Gregor; and drums: Jon Wikan.
This big band opens like a modern New Testament Count Basie Band with the opening "Count Me Out." This composition transforms itself into a more contemporary vein with Rob Middleton's remarkable tenor sax, a piano interlude by Roberta Piket that evokes Duke Ellington, and Deborah Weisz's wooly trombone solo. This results in a memorable performance. "Tango" opens with bassist Noelle in duet with baritone saxophonist Matt Hong before the reeds and full band join. Schapiro's scoring provides a turbulent setting for Hong's rambunctious solo. Then there is the driving, irresistible groove of "Hmmm" with Piket laying down a barrelhouse piano progression for the high energy horns, Andy Gravish's scorching trumpet, and Paul Carlon's high-spirited tenor sax solo. All of this exceptional music is set against Schapiro's top-flight arrangement to builds up to an explosive climax.
The one song that Schapiro did not write is an evocative rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Schapiro initially provides a haunting setting for Eddie Allen's mournful trumpet. Against the brooding atmosphere, Allen's trumpet becomes a bit more luminous. The title track is built around a fair amount of counterpoint by the ensemble. It also has dynamic solos from Rob Wilkerson on alto sax and Nick Grinder on trombone. These two trade-off with each other with their counterpoint playing over Schapiro's dense, volatile arrangement.
The remainder of this recording is full of the same superior ensemble playing, marvelous and imaginative arrangements, and terrific solos by the ensemble's members. Guitarist Noelle especially shines on "Hallelujah." On "A Bounce in Her Step," Schapiro imaginatively incorporates various bebop phrases, especially from "Billie's Bounce." Drummer Joe Wikan lays down a funky groove while Alex Jeun's growling trombone evokes Tricky Sam Nanton on the closing selection, "House Money."
With the fabulous music on this album, Schapiro17's "Human Qualities" is an outstanding contemporary big band recording that sounds fresh with repeated hearings.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a link to a video of "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face." https://youtu.be/U3UEci0kktw.
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