Portraits and Places

SCOTT REEVES' [flg] Jazz Orchestra has come out with PORTRAITS AND PLACES [Origin 82710] a 1/6&7/15 recording of his big band. Steve Wilson [ss/as/flt] is the feature but this band is packed with talent including Jim Ridl [p], Tim Armacost [ts], Bill Mobley [tpt], Vito Chiavuzzo [as], Nathan Eklund [tpt], Andy Watson [drm], Matt McDonald [tbn], Max Seigel [bass tbn], Terry Goss [bari/bass clt] and Seneca Black [lead tmpt] all of whom have solo space somewhere on the 8 tracks [57:08] that make up this CD. Most of the music are Reeves' originals with the exception of "Waters Of March". All of the music is arranged by Reeves. This is a very nice listening experience. Reeves writes wonderful back up support for the soloists who make good use of the spotlight. On one track there is some conversation in Japanese which I found intrusive but not enough that it ruined the joy of the entire disc, which held my interest on several re-­listenings.