Jazz arranger/trombonist Don Sebesky is of the old school. Best known for his '70s albums The Rape Of El Morro and Giant Box, Sebesky cut his teeth in an era when jazz was taking stock after the music explosion of the 1960s, when the jazz scene had turned inward after the promise of jazz rock and free jazz had soured.
Consequently, it's not Sebesky's style to pay slavish homage to past greats. And with Duke Ellington, that comes as a bit of shock. Thanks to Wynton Marsalis, we are accustomed to hearing Ellington played with a reverence bordering on parody. But in his liner notes to Joyful Noise Sebesky writes, "My intention was not to imitate Duke." Except for the familiar melodies of well-worn classics like "Mood Indigo," "Caravan," "Satin Doll," and "Creole Love Call," Sebesky is true to his word. Some songs originally conceived as ballads are now uptempo and in odd meters, others are arranged to reflect Sebesky's work with Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery, and Paul Desmond.
This is not Ellington as heard on some crusty 78 vinyl antique, this is Ellington supercharged and flying high, drenched in hot solos from Tom Harrell, Ron Carter, Dennis Mackrel, John Pizzarelli, and Phil Woods. Brash, bold, and sunny, Joyful Noise is practically more about contemporary big band style and Sebesky himself than it is about Ellington.
The arrangements are dynamite, and the solos are excellent. Would you really want to hear these standards "one more time" in their original form? Sebesky has done a great job injecting energy into tired warhorses. But at times, the flash and fire of Joyful Noise is as thin on the ground as hearing "Misty" played by a wedding band. As a fresh Ellington interpretation, Joyful Noise is sketchy. But as a scalding example of contemporary big band, it's a killer wearing white gloves. And a top hat.
All recordings courtesy of RCA Victor. ΓÇ£CaravanΓÇ¥ written by E. K. Ellington, I. Mills and J. Tizol, courtesy of Duke Ellington Music, administered by Famous Music Corporation/EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP). ΓÇ£Take The ColtraneΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£Satin DollΓÇ¥ written by E. K. Ellington, courtesy of Duke Ellington Music, adm by Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP).
