The Quintet
1. Leaves of Autumn
2. Two as One
3. Alpine Sunset
4. Joyful Sorrow
5. Giorgio's Theme
6. Piazzolla
7. Silent Serenit
The Duo
8. Dad's Clarinet
9. Song for Jessy
10. Life's Dreams
11. Two Onederful
12. Jenna's Voice
13. Joyful Sorrow
14. Don't Say Words
15. Hope
Harry Skoler - Clarinet
Ed Saindon - Vibes, piano
Matt Marvuglio - Flute
Barry Smith - Bass
Bob Tamagni - Drums
The duo tracks have just Skoler & Saindon.
These musicians are all connected with Berklee College of Music;
both Skoler and Saindon hold senior teaching posts there.
I have not heard any of these musicians before, but all are well-schooled
professionals having had a great deal of working experience, before
embarking on an academic career.
It seems to be the world over now, that the only place to provide
secure employment for musicians of the highest calibre is academia.
Their work there has produced a remarkable crop of new musicians,
but unfortunately the opportunity to use those skills is limited and
many end up in teaching posts lower down the scale, without much performance
opportunity, which is a great pity.
As you would expect from a Berklee professor, Harry Skoler has a
beautiful clarinet sound, technique to spare and a host of ideas,
which make his playing a joy to listen to.
His partner in both composition and performance, Ed Saindon, is an
equally skilled musician, who plays both piano and vibes with great
excellence.
There is an obvious rapport between them. They obviously play together
regularly and it is from this kind of association that they develop
this ability to understand one another, in terms of what comes next
on the improvised solos. The playing of flautist Matt Marvuglio, bass
player Barry Smith and drummer Bob Tamagni also contributes to the
enjoyment on part one of the record; the second part consists of just
piano and clarinet. The blend of flute and clarinet on part one, is
a sound not to be missed: it is just beautiful to hear.
For part two, the duo part to the album, the mood changes to something
more wistful than the Quintet offering. It is however equally enjoyable
and both players perform with great sensitivity and feel towards the
music. Harry Skoler's clarinet sound is even more noticeable in this
smaller group setting; he really is a master of the instrument in
every sense of the word.
This is a record to put on your CD player and just let the music
wash over you. It is interesting enough to command your constant attention,
but relaxed enough to enable you to just sit in comfort, listen and
enjoy!
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Soliloquy SOCD 2091
