Ray Anderson has nine of his originals performed by the 17-piece George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band on this Gramavision CD and the results are quite spirited and very satisfying. The often riotous trombonist is fortunate to have his complex but always lively music interpreted by quite an all-star group and Gruntz's arrangements give each musician at least one opportunity to solo. When one considers that the orchestra contains such individualists as trumpeters Lew Soloff, Ryan Kisor, John D'Earth, and Herb Robertson; altoist Tim Berne; Marty Ehrlich on several reeds; Ellery Eskelin on tenor; and violinist Mark Feldman, it is little surprise that this was one of the top jazz albums released in 1994. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Lips Apart
2. Anabel At One
3. My Wish
4. Raven-A-Ning
5. Leo's Place
6. Seven Monsters
7. Waltz For Phoebe
8. The Literary Lizard
9. Don't Mow Your Lawn
TIM BERNE alto saxophone
SAL GIORGIANNI alto saxophone
MARTY EHRLICH alto & soprano saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet
DREW GRESS bass
DAVE TAYLOR bass trombone
TOM RAINEY drums
GEORGE GRUNTZ piano
ELLERY ESKELIN tenor saxophone
LARRY SCHNEIDER tenor saxophone
ART BARON trombone
DAVE BARGERON trombone
RAY ANDERSON trombone
HERB ROBERTSON trumpet
JOHN D'EARTH trumpet
LEW SOLOFF trumpet
RYAN KISOR trumpet
HOWARD JOHNSON tuba, baritone saxophone
MARK FELDMAN violin
All music composed by Ray Anderson except (9) composed by Jackie Rave, Ray Anderson
Recorded at Clinton Studios, NYC, January 11-13, 1994
Gramavision - R2 79497