CHARLES TOLLIVER BIG BAND at Birdland

[Hardbopjazz]

This looks like the show to catch the summer.

Anyone planning on going to any of the sets?

[jeffsjazz]

I just saw this band @ Umbria Jazz.I enjoyed what little I could hear of Charles.

The arrangement were fairly bombastic and got tiresome after a couple of tunes (with 4 trumpets in the section,those high notes take their tole).

There wasn't enough modulation in the music,too much hard blowing.Mr. Tolliver rarely played solo,or when he did was undermiked.

Let me know your experience-good luck.

Dr. Jeff

[ValerieB]

i heard a bit of them at the north sea festival and have a similar reaction to jeffsjazz. they are most definitely intense (but wonderful). also heard them at IAJE in ny last january where the personnel was a little different but still very intense. i guess it's not for everybody's taste but it is very good music/arrangements.

[GA Russell]

Sounds like "the black Stan Kenton"!

I'm looking forward to getting the CD from Your Music if they ever get it in again.

[Joe G]

  GA Russell said:

I'm looking forward to getting the CD from Your Music if they ever get it in again.

It was there just the other day. (Edit: at BMG actually)

The group will be playing at the Detroit Jazz Festival. I'll try to catch them there.

Edited July 23, 2007 by Joe G

[PHILLYQ]

Well, I guess one man's bombastic is another's layered and complex? I went to Birdland last Thursday(first set) to see them and I thoroughly enjoyed them. At Birdland Tolliver was well miked and he soloed some, but he was more absorbed with conducting the band. I wish I remembered the names of the players, but the alto player and couple of the trumpet players stood out. The drummer(Hutchinson?) really drove the band hard, and they were tight and explosive.

[tatifan]

  PHILLYQ said:

Well, I guess one man's bombastic is another's layered and complex? I went to Birdland last Thursday(first set) to see them and I thoroughly enjoyed them. At Birdland Tolliver was well miked and he soloed some, but he was more absorbed with conducting the band. I wish I remembered the names of the players, but the alto player and couple of the trumpet players stood out. The drummer(Hutchinson?) really drove the band hard, and they were tight and explosive.

Hey, I was there too that night! All the way from Houston, via my folks in Delaware. I agree with you about Tolliver being audible enough. I wish he played a bit more, but when he does he sounds spot-on. I thought the arrangements were absorbing, perhaps one trumpet less back there would have been better, but it's a wonderfully nimble big group.