This bold and innovative "third stream" project has the hand of producer and arranger
Daniel Schnyder all over it.
Paquito D'Rivera leads a fine rhythm section, to which he adds bass trombonist
David Taylor and percussionist
Mino Cinelu, plus the modern chamber group
Absolute Ensemble, led by
Kristjan Järva. The eclectic choice of tunes, from
Ellington's "Caravan" to
Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" to several original pieces by
D'Rivera, is a plus. Combining jazz musicians with classically trained ones is risky business, and the most successful ventures, such as the Uri Caine Ensemble, find innovative ways to forge new constructs. If the instant recording is somewhat flawed in that it succumbs in part to popular notions of swinging the classics, there are still moments of remarkable ingenuity and creativity. The
Gershwin pieces, in particular, sing passionately, and pianist
Kenny Drew, Jr takes improvisational liberties that seamlessly weave into the songs.
D'Rivera is a bit restrained, but tuneful and accessible.