Mention the name Brubeck and most people will immediately think ‘Take Five’ played by his small jazz group. This disc shows two surprisingly cultivated composers and the forces employed to perform are mostly in a standard British Brass band instrumentation.

That said- the sound is more orchestral. The first track On the Threshold of Liberty is by Dave Brubeck’s son Christopher. The inspiration for this piece is a work of art with the same name and shows what a talented outfit the Gramercy Brass Orchestra is as well as the creativity of the composer. With driving rhythms and varied tone colours it is an exciting piece. The next track Polishing the Brass is a movement taken from a larger orchestral work and is a joint arrangement by Dave and Christopher. The sonorous opening chords are followed by rhythmic, syncopated patterns and also passages that show this band can play legato. 

Lord, Lord  is a movement from ‘The Gates of Justice’, a cantata by Dave based on a passage from the book of Kings. This version for Brass Band is by Mike Fahie who also plays the baritone vocal line on his trombone. It is a compelling performance.

In Your own Sweet Way  by Dave is dedicated to his wife Iola, arranged by Max Morden, it is a fascinating work combining the traditional brass band idiom with jazz. The result is a piece with exquisite harmony and creative “voicing” of the instruments.

The next track, The Things you don’t Remember by Dave is arranged as a quartet by Max Morden and depicts the sadness of a broken heart. The writing and playing are very sensitive.

First Concerto for Bass Trombone  is by Christopher and arranged for the band by the MD J H Lambert. Christopher is also the soloist, revealing a rich tone, great technique and how to capture jazz style and straight playing. As the word concerto implies the writing for the band is an integral part and so well played.

Upon this Rock  by Dave was written to celebrate Pope John Paul’s visit to America. The arrangement is by Max Morden and through the music one can visualise the pageantry and solemnity of the occasion at its first performance.

The large scale cantata has already been referred to in Lord, Lord and the CD ends with the first three movements. JH Lambert is the arranger and the solo vocal lines of the original are given to some of the band’s principals.

The originality, compositional and transposition techniques throughout the CD are of the highest order. The direction by the MD and the playing of the band are immaculate. Highly Recommended.

For further information about this brass orchestra please have a look at it website:  http://www.gramercybrass.org/

 Tracks:

1.  On the Threshold of Liberty - Christopher Brubeck       

2.  Polishing the Brass - Dave and Christopher Brubeck

3.  Lord, Lord - Dave Brubeck

4.  Your Own Sweet Way - Dave Brubeck   

5.  The Things You Don't Remember - Dave Brubeck

6.  First Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra - Christopher Brubeck

    Bass Trombone Soloist Christopher Brubeck

7.  Upon This Rock - Dave Brubeck

8.  The Gates of Justice  - Dave Brubeck

    i) Open The Gates (Psalm 118:19-23 Isaiah 62:10 & 57:14)

   ii) Chorale (Psalm 118:19-23 Isaiah 58:6-7, 9, 12)

  iii) Open The Gates (Reprise)

John Edward