Trombonist-pianist-composer Bob Brookmeyer (1929) has had a new hobbyhorse for five years now. Called the 'New Art Orchestra', it is a 19-man big band formed in Lubeck, Germany for an annual festival. He composed the four-part work "Celebration" especially for this festival and for Gerry Mulligan in particular. Gerry played the song in 1994. On this album the solo part on baritone saxophone is played
… by Scott Robinson. And it must be said, not without merit. In the first two parts of the work we can still clearly hear the influences of Irish folk music. A modern version of the Charleston can be heard in the fourth movement. Four other works, such as the song "Idyll", a melancholic ballad. The song "Duets" can be called experimental or free. Because American Bob has been working in Europe for quite some time now, the big band music has a more European character. Which means as much as more depth, more varied and therefore more interesting. (RM) _more
