The Classical Jazz Quartet - play Tchaikovsky
KOB 10011
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- the swingin' nut (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- marche touche (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- groove of the sugar plum fairy (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- blues à la russe (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- bedouin dreams (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- oriental rhythm (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- mirlitonova (p.i. tchaikovsky)
- vaunce of the flowers (p.i. tchaikovsky)
kenny barron piano
ron carter bass
stefon harris vibes & marimba
lewis nash drums
recorded at avatar studios, new york, 2001
produced by bob belden and suzanne severini
kind of blue 10011
Originally released five years ago on the small Vertical Jazz label, the existence of The Classical Jazz Quartet play Tchaikovsky was unknown to the majority of the jazz public and, as a result, the album failed to make the impact it deserved. However, following the highly positive critical and commercial response to the release of The Classical Jazz Quartet play Rachmaninov earlier this year, this important milestone in jazz is set to be given a new lease of life as it is re-released in re-mastered form on Kind of Blue.
The music of Tchaikovsky provides the perfect framework for this group to display their balance of emotion and technical precision. Kenny Barron is in typically inspired form and the quartet mingle beautifully around Ron Carter’s supple, melodic bass lines and Lewis Nash’s discrete and gently propulsive beat. Play Tchaikovsky is based on the composers ballet The Nutcracker Suite and a hard swinging version of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” appropriately entitled “Groove of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is amongst the highlights.
The Classical Jazz Quartet has been compared to the renowned Modern Jazz Quartet and it is true that both groups bring the influence of classical music and chamber groups to jazz improvisation, appealing to jazz and classical music fans alike. The CJQ has, however, maintained a strongly classical repertoire, and will continue to do so – distinguishing them from the MJQ even amidst the parallels of the two groups’ musicianship. The Classical Jazz Quartet will go down in history as one of the foremost jazz ensembles ever.
Recommended
- All Music Guide
The music of Tchaikovsky provides the perfect framework for this group to display their balance of emotion and technical precision. Kenny Barron is in typically inspired form and the quartet mingle beautifully around Ron Carter’s supple, melodic bass lines and Lewis Nash’s discrete and gently propulsive beat. Play Tchaikovsky is based on the composers ballet The Nutcracker Suite and a hard swinging version of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” appropriately entitled “Groove of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is amongst the highlights.
The Classical Jazz Quartet has been compared to the renowned Modern Jazz Quartet and it is true that both groups bring the influence of classical music and chamber groups to jazz improvisation, appealing to jazz and classical music fans alike. The CJQ has, however, maintained a strongly classical repertoire, and will continue to do so – distinguishing them from the MJQ even amidst the parallels of the two groups’ musicianship. The Classical Jazz Quartet will go down in history as one of the foremost jazz ensembles ever.
Recommended
- All Music Guide
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