Anyone requiring proof of the vitality of Dutch jazz need look no further than Bik Bent Braam, the remarkable big band led by the brilliant composer and pianist Michiel Braam. Growing Pains is a two-CD set that captures two live performances, one at the famed Bimhuis, the other at De Werf Brugge. The 13-piece band features a splendid collection of players, including trombonist Wolter Wierbos, saxophonist/ clarinetist Frank Gratkowski, and cornetist Eric Boeren, so the level of improvisation is unquestionably superb. So are the compositions and arrangements by Braam, which take this to a rare level of performance. Braam's plethora of sounds reaches back to early to mid-20th century popular jazz, and quickly segues to the extremes of the avant-garde. But, the results rarely seem haphazard or showy. "Bonsai Michiel 5" showcases the leader's progressive talents on piano, while the simple, though heavily syncopated melody shows influences as diverse as early Carla Bley. The frenetic "Bonsai Frans 5" is almost cartoon-ish, with some fine soloing from Frans Vermeerssen on tenor sax, bolstered by the tuba player. "Bonsai Bart 5" has the stamp of Abdullah Ibrahim, while "Bonsai Peter 4" and "Bonsai Jan Willem Intro" show what an impressive improviser Braam can be on piano. "Bonsai Jan Willem Theme" might have come from the pen of 1950s Neal Hefti, and the sax solos incorporate elements of traditional big band swing, though they stretch out amid a backdrop of offbeat, eventually dissonant sounds from the ensemble. Often the tracks meld into one another, marked only for convenience. For those attracted to adventurous, eclectic arrangements that span the spectrum from swing to free jazz, performed by extraordinary musicians, this one is a winner.
© Steven Loewy /TiVo