David Murray was the winner of the second annual Jazzpar award in 1991. While in Copenhagen to pick up his cash prize,
Murray recorded this superlative set with
Pierre Dorge's New Jungle Orchestra. The ten-piece band (which includes guitarist
Dorge, pianist
Horace Parlan, trumpeter
Harry Beckett and a variety of top European players) serves as an excellent outlet for
Murray, who doubles on tenor and bass clarinet. Their joint interpretations of three of his pieces -- including a gospel medley with a vocal by Donald Murray), two spirited
Dorge originals (one is called "David In Wonderland") and
Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" -- are colorful and often memorable. The performances are avant-garde, but not afraid of using melodies and straight-ahead rhythms when it best suits the music. ~ Scott Yanow