Night & Day celebrates the return of
Peter Petersen's dynamic
Collection Jazz Orchestra to the recording studio after a seven-year hiatus. This is far too long an absence for this aggregation, one of the leading champions of big-band music today. This session is a sophisticated, swinging affair by a regular big-band ensemble augmented by French horns. The album consists of 11 standards and originals, and features arrangements by composer/pianist
Dave Zoller, the inestimable
Sammy Nestico,
Mike Abene, and
John Oddo, among others. The kickoff tune, the classic
Sir Charles Thompson/
Illinois Jacquet-composed
"Robbins Nest," sets the musical table for the many tasty musical morsels that follow. The title tune,
"Night and Day," is a fresh, rousing rendition of
Cole Porter's masterpiece.
Scott Whitfield's arrangement of
"The More I See You" takes on a modernistic hue and features a lengthy, intricate solo by guitarist
Chris DeRose.
"Dr. Bob" is one of
Zoller's more inventive compositions and is enhanced by a
Chris Seiter trombone solo. Things get a bit syncopated on a unique arrangement of
"East of the Sun," with
Randy Lee (on both alto and flute) and
Zoller taking on the solo chores;
Zoller recalls
"Holiday for Strings" during one of his solos on this almost eight-minute exploration of the
Brooks Bowman tune. The sax section takes center stage on
"Round Midnight," gliding in and out with the ubiquitous
Lee.
Whitfield's
"Check It Out" is a vehicle for solos by several members of the band, but it's
Jeff Bair's boppish tenor that takes honors on this one.
Petersen allots himself some solo space on a poignant offering of
"My Romance," where he's joined by
Jack Evans' high-powered trumpet. The blues are acknowledged on
"Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You," with
John Adams going back and forth with
Zoller's tinkling piano. The arrangements not only set off the fine solos throughout, but the high-caliber ensemble work as well, a characteristic of earlier recordings of
Petersen's group. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another seven years for another album from this fine group. ~ Dave Nathan
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