Jason Lindner Big Band: Live at the Jazz Gallery

contents

jazz

To hear The Jason Lindner Big Band live is to experience a marvel of sound and to take a trip through your emotions, one by one--or surprisingly, sometimes several at once. To be in their presence is to be amazed, delighted and musically fulfilled by the depth and substance of these musicians' collective deluge of brilliance. On August 28, 2007 Anzic Records will release the double-live CD Live At The Jazz Gallery , which documents The Jason Lindner Big Band recorded live at the august NYC venue on November 25 and 26, 2005.

The Jason Lindner Big Band (formed by Lindner in 1995 to perform Monday nights at the legendary Smalls) is an ensemble that bucks typical big-band conventions. Lindner explains, “the point of my big band is not about showcasing the arrangements, as some big bands really are indeed about, but more so about showcasing the playing, the interaction between the players, the spontaneity, and the energy. I feel like my big band definitely captures some of the type of fresh energy that was ever- present at Smalls during the 90's, and I feel like as a big band that we are representative of that movement - new compositions, a more intense energetic way of playing, as opposed to 'correct' playing, or playing in the box.”

For Lindner, this all translates into a concept that takes the listener into account in a considerable way. “My concept of music is about bringing joy and energy to listeners, getting them involved in the musical journey we are all embarking on, and giving them something perhaps unpredictable, or exciting, or sometimes just beautiful or soulful,” said Lindner.

Lindner's dodecatet, which has also enjoyed residencies at The Jazz Gallery and Fat Cat, and performances across the nation and abroad, has always been armed with many of the young, creative stars on the New York scene. On the members of the ensemble, Lindner said, “I cherish all the members of the band, their different personalities and their respect and support for one another in the interest of making good music.”

Jason Lindner's writing, playing and band leading has taken his ensemble down a highway of its own. From its earliest days at Smalls up to the present, the band has succeeded. They celebrated their 10th anniversary in November of 2005. After twelve years, Lindner fearlessly leads the ensemble, pushing them musically and conceptually, always guided by the light of his mentors. The pianist explains, “I've brought everything I inherited from my elders in the New York jazz community - like Barry Harris, Chris Anderson, Frank Hewitt, Jimmy Lovelace, Tommy Turrentine, 'C' Sharpe, Junior Cook - and tried to use that knowledge to spring from, and then be part of our present musical current, the present movement.”

write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page