Label: Challenge Records
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917359329
Catalog number: CR 73593
Releasedate: 22-11-24
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917359329
Releasedate: 22-11-24
- Lyrics by Norma Winstone and Ana Pilat
- All tracks arranged by Klaus Gesing
- All tracks arranged by Klaus Gesing
When I started reimagining the tunes I had composed for Trio or Quartet settings for a larger ensemble, I realised this would inevitably limit the improvisational freedom of each player. I also thought that abandoning the idea for this reason would be like comparing apples and oranges—the small ensemble, with its intimacy and full improvisational freedom, and the large jazz ensemble, with its rich palette of colours, interwoven melodies, and dynamic grandeur, are simply two distinct ways to express music, like changing the dress for a different occasion. And so, I began to sew a new wardrobe for the Songs and Dances on this recording.
Three main elements thread through the compositions and arrangements of this collection. Firstly, the presence of irregular time signatures. The fact that some tunes on this CD are written in metres of 5/4, 11/8, 7/4, 15/4, or 17/8 is not a deliberate choice of mine. The way these odd metres slightly alter the passing of time—or at least the way I perceive it—inspires me and leads me on a search for a particular state of rhythmic and melodic flow that ultimately lets the concept of time signature itself lose its importance.
Secondly, I am captivated by the magic that happens when a melody is accompanied by words: lyrics seem to emancipate a melody from the composer’s original intent; what has been a tune becomes a song, with a life of its own.
And thirdly, I am fascinated with textures, with the changing colours of intertwining wind instruments—the human breath at the source of the sound we hear—and the harmonic and rhythmic authority of the wind ensemble in conjunction with the rhythm section.
THE LATVIAN RADIO BIG BAND
SAXOPHONES
Dāvis Jurka - Lead Alto, Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone
Jānis Puķītis - 2nd Alto, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Kārlis Vanags - 1st Tenor, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Māris Jēkabsons - 2nd Tenor, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Kristaps Lubovs - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
TRUMPETS
Andris Augstkalns - Lead trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gatis Gorkuša - 2nd Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Oskars Ozoliņš - 3rd Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Reinis Puriņš - 4th Trumpet, Flugelhorn
TROMBONES
Laura Rozenberga - Lead trombone
Aivars Jaunžeikars - 2nd Trombone
Uldis Ziediņš - 3rd Trombone
Kārlis Alfrēds Feldbergs - Bass trombone, Tuba
RHYTHM SECTION
Rihards Goba - Guitar
Viktors Ritovs - Piano, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards
Artis Orubs - Drums, Glockenspiel, Percussions
Edvīns Ozols - Double Bass, Electric Bass
Three main elements thread through the compositions and arrangements of this collection. Firstly, the presence of irregular time signatures. The fact that some tunes on this CD are written in metres of 5/4, 11/8, 7/4, 15/4, or 17/8 is not a deliberate choice of mine. The way these odd metres slightly alter the passing of time—or at least the way I perceive it—inspires me and leads me on a search for a particular state of rhythmic and melodic flow that ultimately lets the concept of time signature itself lose its importance.
Secondly, I am captivated by the magic that happens when a melody is accompanied by words: lyrics seem to emancipate a melody from the composer’s original intent; what has been a tune becomes a song, with a life of its own.
And thirdly, I am fascinated with textures, with the changing colours of intertwining wind instruments—the human breath at the source of the sound we hear—and the harmonic and rhythmic authority of the wind ensemble in conjunction with the rhythm section.
THE LATVIAN RADIO BIG BAND
SAXOPHONES
Dāvis Jurka - Lead Alto, Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone
Jānis Puķītis - 2nd Alto, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Kārlis Vanags - 1st Tenor, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Māris Jēkabsons - 2nd Tenor, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Kristaps Lubovs - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
TRUMPETS
Andris Augstkalns - Lead trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gatis Gorkuša - 2nd Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Oskars Ozoliņš - 3rd Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Reinis Puriņš - 4th Trumpet, Flugelhorn
TROMBONES
Laura Rozenberga - Lead trombone
Aivars Jaunžeikars - 2nd Trombone
Uldis Ziediņš - 3rd Trombone
Kārlis Alfrēds Feldbergs - Bass trombone, Tuba
RHYTHM SECTION
Rihards Goba - Guitar
Viktors Ritovs - Piano, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards
Artis Orubs - Drums, Glockenspiel, Percussions
Edvīns Ozols - Double Bass, Electric Bass