[rating=8.00]
Much has been said lately about borders and failed alliances but this collaboration between Iconic trumpeter Randy Brecker, famed Swedish composer/arranger/conductor Mats Holmquist and Finland’s finest big band, the 18-piece UMO Jazz Orchestra from Helsinki, works beautifully to break down any kind of barriers on Together.
Of course, we’ve been listening to Randy Brecker’s trumpet for almost fifty years now. His ground-breaking work with his late brother, saxophonist Michael, as the Brecker Brothers in the ‘70s, co-founder of the jazz-rock band Dreams, and stints with the Horace Silver Quintet, Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House, Art Blakey, and countless number of jazz and pop artists. On this project he is the featured soloist on every composition. His comments in the liners say much about Mats Holmquist and the UMO Jazz Orchestra. “Received the charts about a few weeks before the concert and upon looking at the scores and parts, I knew I was in for a challenge. Mats had truly thrown his all into this new project leaving no stone unturned! This one wasn’t ‘minimalistic’ the way I saw it. It was ‘maximalistic’! But this was great composing and orchestrating, I also said a silent prayer for the Orchestra because there were a lot of notes to learn! This was going to be a special project. And sure enough the UMO Jazz Orchestra rose to the occasion and just played fantastically on the tracks and at the one concert we performed at their incredible new 1600 seat concert hall, which was sold out.”
Mats Holmquist ‘s arrangements have been recently lauded on several projects including albums by the Dave Liebman Big Band (in tribute to Wayne Shorter), Dick Oatts and members of the Vanguard Orchestra (versions of Herbie Hancock compositions), and the Latvian Radio Big Band (2017’s “Big Band Minimalism which has Randy Brecker as a main soloist). Holmquist, as you’ve gleaned from Brecker’s statement, has developed a reputation for writing that challenges musicians and pleases listeners due to his unpredictability. His compositions are grounded in jazz but bring in classical elements and the minimalism of Steve Reich and John Adams. This is his ninth album as composer and arranger.
The UMO Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1975, has a history of famous soloists including Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker and John Scofield and has long been considered Finland’s best big band.
In addition to Brecker’s brilliant soloing, mostly on trumpet but on flugelhorn for “Never Let Me Go,” ‘Crystal Silence” and “Always Young,” the Orchestra boasts several of their own including pianist Seppo Kantonen, guitarist Mikel Ulfberg, trumpeter Mikko Pettinen, trombonist Heikki Tuhkanen, alto/soprano saxophonist Ville Vannemaa and tenor Max Zenger. Holmquist wrote five and arranged all nine pieces, detailing his thought process and inspiration for each in the liners.
The program can be divided into three parts: “One Million Circumstances,” “Summer and Winter” ( which has two contrasting sections and a rollicking trombone solo from Tuhkanen) and the lyrical ballad “Always Young.” Holmquist interprets standards from the great American songbook: “All My Things” (All the Things You Are), and “My Stella” (Stella by Starlight). Stella, by the way, is the name of Brecker’s and Holmquist’s daughters. There is also the ballad “Never Let Me Go.” Additionally, there are a trio of Chick Corea tunes: “Windows,” “Humpty Dumpty” and the rarely covered ballad “Crystal Silence” which features Brecker’s most elegant soloing.
The UMO soloists of note are Kantonen on “One Million Circumstances,” “Never Let Me Go,” “Windows” and “Crystal Silence.” Ulfberg takes the spotlight on the up-tempo “Humpty Dumpty.” Ville Vannemaa shines on “All My Things” and Zenger on “Humpty Dumpty.” The orchestra plays flawlessly, soaring in the many ensemble parts, seemingly not daunted by the challenging material, which is mostly bright, colorful, and stacked with unpredictable dynamic and rhythmic changes.
Unlike much big band fare, this one never lags, never becomes burdened with cliché phrases, and stays exciting throughout. Brecker, Holmquist and the UMO prove that alliances can work well when all team together.
