Chris Moore, Reporter
The first jazz event of the Conference began with the BBC Big Band, directed by the internationally renowned trombonist Jiggs Whigham. The band was introduced by ITG Board Member Brian Evans who described the evening’s concert as a “meeting of the continents,” and reminded us of how lucky the UK is to still have a full-time big band backed by an entity such as the BBC – a rarity these days on any continent!
Following a short, high energy opener, Whigham warmly greeted the ITG audience then kicked the band off for a rousing rendition of the early standard The Bugle Call Rag. The audience was treated to the driving energy and precision of the BBC’s rhythm section. The trumpet solo by Martin Shaw was remarkable.
The band’s final tune before the introduction of their first guest was a John Clayton arrangement of the Thelonius Monk tune Evidence. Clayton’s intense arrangement brought dissonant colors to the forefront. As the tune gained momentum and energy, Martin Shaw stirred the audience with a high-arching, vibrant solo. As the tune reached it’s peak, all four trumpets joined together to demonstrate their range prowess with a unison line that was truly outstanding.
The first guest soloist of the evening was the renowned Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi. Claudio’s first tune filled the hall with the warm, fluid sounds of his flugelhorn on Johnny Mandel’s Close Enough for Love, arranged by Rob McConnell. The next two tunes, Con Alma by Dizzy Gillespie and You’re My Everything by Vince Thompson, demonstrated Claudio’s trademark soloing, distinguished by smooth lines and remarkable phrasing – each time enthusiastically received by the audience. Roditi closed with The Natural Bridge – described as a tune written to bring together the cultures of Brazil, Europe, and America. Here, Roditi’s natural latin style was truly evident, as he easily negotiated the complex harmonies with rhythmic vitality and orginality.
Before the introduction of their second guest, Jiggs Whigham asked the audience, “What is a big band concert without a little blues?” Whigham kicked the band off with I’d be Serious about dem Blues by John Clayton. This tune featured trumpeter Mark White with plunger and Martin Shaw. As this section built in intensity, the soloists traded 4’s then 2’s, finally joining together for a fantastic display of jazz virtuosity to close the tune.
Marvin Stamm was the next artist to join the BBC Big Band and he needed little introduction. In his first tune Secret Love, Stamm’s high energy, driving solo lines left little doubt of his artistic achievements. Stamm’s playing sounded effortless as he flowed in and out of beautiful, soulful lines in the next tune, Autumn, a ballad written by Bob Florence. Stamm’s final tune, Psalmnus by Gregory Pascuzzi was recently commissioned by the BBC Big Band and Stamm. The rhythmic complexities of the tune were reminiscent of Pat Metheny as Stamm dazzled the audience with soaring lines on flugelhorn transporting the audience to another world.
The final tune of the BBC’s concert, Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia, featured both Roditi and Stamm. As can be imagined, both artists displayed great energy and virtuosity in their solos, and the BBC Big Band was able to show off their excellent section playing one last time. Before the close of the tune, Roditi and Stamm each played extended solo cadenzas as Whigham brought the band back in for a rousing close. The evening of jazz big band music with featured soloists was nothing short of remarkable!
