Avatar Sessions: The Music Of Tim Hagans

The Norrbotten Big Band

1 Buckeyes - 10:15 2 Boo - 8:40 3 Box of Cannoli - 13:16 4 Here with Me - 5:58 5 Palt Seanuts - 9:32 6 Rufus at Gilly's - 8:42 7 Song for Mirka - 7:13

There are remarkably few progressive big bands of note, though one that merits entry into their ranks is the Norrbotten Big Band. Trumpeter Tim Hagans, an American who serves as its artistic director, contributed the originals for this date, while he recruited a number of star soloists from the U.S. for these sessions. He envisioned "Buckeyes" after being inspired by a conversation between Ornette Coleman and Joe Lovano; though there are rapid-fire free jazz portions played by the orchestra, with the leader and tenor saxophonist George Garzone playing the role of Lovano, the results are anything but a train wreck. The hip boogaloo "Boo" features the sassy trumpet of Randy Brecker, with guitarist Vic Juris added to the rhythm section. The lush ballad "Here with Me" showcases David Liebman's magical soprano sax, backed by Hagans' superb scoring of the reeds and brass. "Palt Seanuts" is a breezy bop vehicle that Hagans claims is based on a Viking sea song, though he may be engaging in a Dizzy Gillespie-like put-on in his notes. The sauntering "Rufus at Gilly's" casts the spotlight on veteran bassist Rufus Reid, who demonstrates why he is one of the most in-demand players with his inventive, bluesy solo technique. Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

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