Night & Day
celebrates the return of
Peter Petersen
's dynamic
Collection Jazz Orchestra
to the recording studio after a seven-year hiatus. This is far too long an absence for this aggregation, one of the leading champions of big-band music today. This session is a sophisticated, swinging affair by a regular big-band ensemble augmented by French horns. The album consists of 11 standards and originals, and features arrangements by composer/pianist
Dave Zoller
, the inestimable
Sammy Nestico
,
Mike Abene
, and
John Oddo
, among others. The kickoff tune, the classic
Sir Charles Thompson
/
Illinois Jacquet
-composed
"Robbins Nest,"
sets the musical table for the many tasty musical morsels that follow. The title tune,
"Night and Day,"
is a fresh, rousing rendition of
Cole Porter
's masterpiece.
Scott Whitfield
's arrangement of
"The More I See You"
takes on a modernistic hue and features a lengthy, intricate solo by guitarist
Chris DeRose
.
"Dr. Bob"
is one of
Zoller
's more inventive compositions and is enhanced by a
Chris Seiter
trombone solo. Things get a bit syncopated on a unique arrangement of
"East of the Sun,"
with
Randy Lee
(on both alto and flute) and
taking on the solo chores;
recalls
"Holiday for Strings"
during one of his solos on this almost eight-minute exploration of the
Brooks Bowman
tune. The sax section takes center stage on
"Round Midnight,"
gliding in and out with the ubiquitous
Lee
Whitfield
's
"Check It Out"
is a vehicle for solos by several members of the band, but it's
Jeff Bair
's boppish tenor that takes honors on this one.
Petersen
allots himself some solo space on a poignant offering of
"My Romance,"
where he's joined by
Jack Evans
' high-powered trumpet. The blues are acknowledged on
"Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You,"
John Adams
going back and forth with
's tinkling piano. The arrangements not only set off the fine solos throughout, but the high-caliber ensemble work as well, a characteristic of earlier recordings of
's group. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another seven years for another album from this fine group. ~ Dave Nathan