Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer

4 1/2 - STARS "Polytonal," according to Webster's, denotes "the simultaneous use of two or more musical keys." Denver-based trumpeter and educator Brad Goode makes full use of that technique on The Snake Charmer, the debut recording by Goode's well-named Polytonal Big Band. When all has been written and played, two things are clear: first, Goode is a world-class big-band composer-arranger and master of his horn; and second, polytonality is simply a fresh approach to the music, one that in no way interferes with the band's primary mission, which is to make the music satisfy and swing as it entertains its audience.

To put it another way, Goode's well-knit ensemble assimilates and employs his polytonal approach as it hews closely to the finest big- band tradition of seductive melodies, harmonies and rhythms, producing a stellar session that is radiant and pleasing on every level. That is nowhere more apparent than on the powerful opening number, "Goose Chase," Charlie Parker's bop anthem "Ornithology," the charming standard "Cabin in the Sky" or the mesmerizing mid-tempo finale, "I Can't Forget About You," every one of which would no doubt earn a special place in virtually any contemporary big band's library.

Goode takes almost every trumpet solo and is awesome throughout—especially so on "Goose Chase"—but assigns ample space to others including alto saxophonists John Gunther and Camden Johnson; tenors Carl Schultz and Jonas Shofler; baritone Alexandra Loran; trombonists Jack Bendure, Joanna Griffith, Grayson Stewart and Sam Griffith; pianist Victor Mestas Perez, guitarist Tim Wendel and bassist Eddie Ness—every one of whom delivers the goods with deftness and enthusiasm. Drummer Paul Romaine does not solo but makes his indispensable presence felt on every number. Goode shares center stage with the trumpet section (John Lake, Sean Applebee, Emily Hartrampf, Hugh Ragin) on his mesmerizing "Hypnotic Suggestion."

Besides "Goose Chase" and "Suggestion," Goode wrote "Just a Thought" and "I Can't Forget About You" (both arranged by Noah Fulton-Beale), the light-hearted "Pentacles" and seductive title song, "The Snake Charmer," which comes as close to avant-garde as anything on the bill of fare while never abandoning its straight-ahead compass. A word more must be said about "Ornithology," an impressive showpiece that is taken at a more leisurely pace than the rapid-fire original and is enriched by superb section work and splendid solos from Johnson, Loran and Griffith. That earns a badge of honor among the album's several highlights while offering proof that Bird's music, once considered radical, has staying power far beyond that envisioned by Parker or his peers.

Hartrampf solos with Goode and Griffith on Vernon Duke and John Latouche's heartening yet too-seldom-heard "Cabin in the Sky," sung in the 1943 film of that name by the incomparable Ethel Waters, as do Stewart, Shofler and Wendel on "I Can't Forget About You," which closes the session on a bright and positive note.

To use a shopworn yet quite suitable play on words, the Polytonal Big Band's debut album is far better than Goode. It is, in fact, among the more creative and inspiring big-band albums in recent memory. Hats off to its multi-talented leader and his marvelous ensemble. Long may they roar.