The Endless Search

Please don't refer to them as a big band. About five minutes with this recording, and you'll agree that this is a jazz orchestra. Boasting many of Seattle's top-flight jazz cats, the SRJO presents here the recorded debut of Jimmy Heath's remarkable new suite in three movements, "The Endless Search." Commissioned and first performed by the SRJO in 2006, sax legend Heath is on hand to personally provide vigorous solo work. These charts are complex, but rewarding, and the players bring on a similar feel to a Bill Holman or Thad Jones-Mel Lewis event. Among many premier players here, a few that always ring my bell include Jay Thomas and Thomas Marriott, trumpets; Dave Marriott, trombone; Mark Taylor, alto and tenor sax; and Randy Haberstadt, piano. In addition to the riveting "Endless Search," other tunes of special note include Charles Mingus' "Haitian Fight Song" and Duke Ellington's "Creole Love Call," both great and stimulating vehicles for big band. But then, virtually everything the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra takes on might be described that way. Great and Stimulating.