On Their Recording Debut, Schapiro17 Transforms The Five Selections From Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue Into Inventive And Unpredictable Big Band Jazz

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New Shoes: Kind of Blue at 60 completely reinvents the Miles Davis classic and introduces the innovative arrangements of Jon Schapiro and the playing of Schapiro17 to a wide audience.—By Ron Kearns

Miles Davis' highly influential Kind of Blue recording celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019 and continues to be a best-seller. While there have been many tribute projects celebrating this classic recording (which originally featured a sextet with Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans), New Shoes: Kind of Blue at 60 differs from all of the others.

The arrangements of Jon Schapiro for his 17-piece orchestra take the five themes of Kind of Blue ("So What, " "Blue in Green, " "All Blues, " "Flamenco Sketches" and "Freddie Freeloader") as points of departure, altering the pieces while retaining their creative essence. The writing at times recalls Gil Evans, Charles Mingus and Bob Brookmeyer but is quite original and modern. In addition, Schapiro contributed seven originals, utilizing the name of "Boiled Funk" or, in one case "Foiled Bunk." The unusual song titles were picked because they utilize the same letters as "Kind of Blue."

The opening "Boiled Funk, " with its tempo changes, strong solos (from tenor-saxophonist Paul Carlon and trombonist Deborah Weisz) and unpredictability sets the standard for what is to follow. Pianist Roberta Piket is showcased on her "Foiled Bunk, " playing freely yet thoughtfully while leading to "So What." After the melody emerges, "So What" has cooking solos from trombonist Alex Jeun and Rob Wilkerson on soprano with bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Jon Wikan driving the ensembles. "Boiled Funk 2: Dark of Night" features Wilkerson's soprano floating over the brooding ensemble while "Blue in Green" evolves from the unaccompanied alto of Ben Kono to several horns soloing together over the rhythm section, becoming a medium-tempo swinger for Rob Middleton on tenor before finally ending as a ballad.

Trumpeter Andy Gravish is heard in spectacular form on the uptempo "Boiled Funk 3: Worth Your While, " "All Blues" briefly retains its theme but, rather than being a blues waltz, becomes an uptempo romp with Carlon, trombonist Alex Jeun and trumpeter Eddie Allen as the solo stars. The rhythmic "Boiled Funk 4: Old Feet, New Shoes" features altoist Candace DeBartolo, "Flamenco Sketches" is turned into a showcase for guitarist Sebastian Noelle, and "Boiled Funk 5: A Smile" is an encore for Roberta Piket. "Freddie Freeloader" (which is taken through several different tempos and features trombonist Walter Harris and baritonist Matt Hong) and the "Boiled Funk Theme" (quoting from Miles Davis' closing theme and including a spot for trombonist Nick Grinder) conclude the consistently intriguing set.

Jon Schapiro graduated from Brown University, earning a Master's from the Manhattan School of Music and studying at NYU with Jim McNeely and Dinu Ghezzo, while developing into a masterful jazz composer and arranger. A member of the BMI Jazz Composers' Workshop and a longtime professor at Yeshiva University, he formed Schapiro17 in the fall of 2012. Schapiro17's appearances in New York (including at the Shape Shifter) are always major events.

Artist: SCHAPIRO17
Title: NEW SHOES: KIND OF BLUE AT 60
LABEL: (2CD Set Summit Records SMT-756)
www.summitrecords.com
Artist Website: schapiro17.com
Release Date: APRIL 3, 2020
UPC Code: 099402 756929

TRACK LISTING
Disc One
1- Boiled Funk (J. Schapiro) 11:54
2- Foiled Bunk (R. Piket) 3:05
3- So What (M. Davis) 14:03
4- Boiled Funk 2: Dark of Night (J. Schapiro) 3:55
5- Blue in Green (M. Davis) 10:02

Disc Two
1- Boiled Funk 3: Worth Your While (J. Schapiro) 2:26
2- All Blues (M. Davis) 12:08
3- Boiled Funk 3: Old Feet, New Shoes (J. Schapiro) 5:14
4- Flamenco Sketches (M. Davis) 9:52
5- Boiled Funk 5: A Smile (J. Schapiro) 5:41
6- Freddie Freeloader (M. Davis) 12:25
7- Boiled Funk/Theme (J. Schapiro) 4:28

Musicians: Jon Schapiro-composer/conductor/arranger, Bryan Davis - trumpet, Andy Gravish - trumpet, Eddie Allen - trumpet, Noyes Bartholomew - trumpet, Deborah Weisz - trombone, Alex Jeun - trombone, Nick Grinder - trombone, Walter Harris - bass trombone, Rob Wilkerson - alto saxophone (tracks 1-4), Ben Kono - alto saxophone (tracks 5-12), Candace DeBartolo - alto saxophone, Paul Carlon - tenor saxophone, Rob Middleton - tenor saxophone, Matt Hong - baritone saxophone, Roberta Piket - piano, Sebastian Noelle - guitar, Evan Gregor - bass, Jon Wikan - drums

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