In addition to its impressive musicianship,
Brigham Young University Synthesis
stands apart from most other college
big bands
due to its diverse and inventive arrangements. On this set, live from the 1996
Montreux Jazz Festival
, the 20-piece orchestra (directed by
Ray Smith
) performs a program ranging from
"Sing, Sing, Sing"
(which has
Smith
featured on clarinet), to pieces by
Miles Davis
(
"All Blues"
),
Sammy Nestico
,
Bob Mintzer
Pat Metheny
, and
Dizzy Gillespie
. Even with all of the changes in styles, the band and its soloists adapt themselves quite well. Among the individual stars of this easily recommended
big-band
set are tenor saxophonist
Mike Vance
, trumpeter
Brent Durland
, and guitarist
Joshua Payne
. ~ Scott Yanow