"Get Well Soon" is a captivating exploration of cool jazz, led by the legendary trombonist and arranger Bob Brookmeyer. Released on May 24, 2021, under the Baseline Jazz label, this album showcases the talents of Brookmeyer and the New Art Orchestra, an eighteen-piece ensemble based in Lubeck, Germany. The orchestra, a component of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, has been under Brookmeyer's guidance since its formation nearly two decades ago.
The album features a blend of original compositions and reinterpretations, with Brookmeyer's signature arrangements shining throughout. The ten-track collection spans a diverse range of moods and tempos, from the playful "Tah-Dum!" and the energetic "Monster Rally" to the introspective "Elegy" and the hopeful title track "Get Well Soon." Each piece is meticulously crafted, highlighting the orchestra's versatility and Brookmeyer's mastery of the genre.
The repertoire on "Get Well Soon" offers a wonderful overview of the orchestra's skills, including music from Brookmeyer himself, as well as compositions by Tom Kubis and Pat Williams. The album's unique charm lies in its ability to challenge improvisers, with much of the music built around a half-diminished chord type that shifts within a narrow center, providing a creative constraint that inspires innovative playing.
The ensemble features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Marko Lackner, Oliver Leicht, Edgar Herzog, Paul Heller, and Nils Van Haften on reeds, along with Sebastian Strempel, Aneel Soomary, and Thorsten Benkenstein on other instruments, all contributing to the rich tapestry of sounds that define this album. The result is an hour-long journey through the world of cool jazz, marked by Brookmeyer's distinctive style and the orchestra's exceptional musicianship.
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