1. Overture
2. Satin Doll
3. Creole Love Call
4. Day Break Express
5. Star-Crossed Lovers
6. Happy Go Lucky Local
7. Caravan / The Mooche
8. Rockin’ In Rhythm
9. Concerto For Cootie
10. Don’t Get Around Much More
11. Prelude To A Kiss
12. Take The ‘A’ Train
Conductor and Piano:
Kirmo Lintinen (soloist on 11 and 12)
Trumpets:
Esko Heikkinen (soloist on 3, 4, 7 and 9)
Timo Paasonen (soloist on 6)
Teemu Mattson
Tero Saarti (soloist on 1, 10 and 12)
Trombones:
Markku Veijonsuo (soloist on 7, 8 and 10)
Mikko Mutsonen (soloist on 1, 6 and 7)
Vesa-Matti Mattsson
Pekka Laukkanen
Reeds:
Pentti Lahti (soloist on 1, 5 and 10)
Mikko Jarvinen (lead on 4 and 8)
Jouni Jarvela (soloist on 7)
Teemu Salimen (soloist on 3 and 8)
Janne Murto (soloist on 2)
Pepa Paivinen (soloist on 1)
Bass:
Pekka Sarmanto (soloist on 2)
Drums:
Markus Ketola
Mikko Hassinen (on 4 and 8)
The most influential composer and band leader
the jazz world has ever seen deserves a quality
tribute; and the UMO Jazz Orchestra live up
to expectation. Possessed with the free and
easy swing the Duke’s own groups were renowned
for, they never fail to delight and amaze
on this collection of works from different
periods. Beautifully arranged with plenty
of variation and careful use of every instrument,
the interpretations are fresh and original,
yet true to Ellington’s original vision; even
the distinctive styles of his colleagues -
Adelaide Hill’s unique vocals, Bubber Miley’s
wa-wa trumpet... - are given the appropriate
recognition on classics like ‘Creole Love
Call’. Consistently polished, yet bold and
daring, the orchestra capture something unique.
From the blistering virtuosity of ‘Daybreak
Express’, to the delicate sensitivity of ‘Prelude
to a Kiss’; from the rich harmonic complexity
of Caravan / The Mooche to the lively swing
of ‘Take the "A" Train’, every nuance,
every intricacy, every change in mood is rendered
with truly outstanding finesse and an admirable
level of sophistication. And the overall result?
The perfect celebration of a giant of jazz,
one hundred years after his birth.
Robert Gibson
CD Reviews
Apex 2564-618832
