Flying Dream

Portland jazz pianist and composer Gordon Lee only started writing for big band in 1995 but the ten tracks on this disc demonstrate that he's a master at it. An expanding interest in counterpoint was the stimulus for his efforts. Classical influences are in fact strong in the compositions, including Stravinsky and Mahler. Among Lee's jazz heros are Ellington, Mingus, Monk, Coltrane, Jobim and Maria Schneider (the last another keyboardist who turned to the big band). Lee says he tried to write each of the works in a different style, and that gives the CD a quite different feeling from, say, a Basie album. Seventeen players are involved, but don't play on all the tracks. Tenor saxist Renato Caranto has some fine solos. The title tune is a most evocative and atmospheric piece inspired by the composer's own flying dreams. Excellent sonics. Tracks: Vicious Cycle, Flying Dream, Sentimental Fool, Now What?, Tocacco Monkey, Winter Comes, Bitter Wind, Wait for Her, Where or When, Alternative Blues.