Alan Ferber Nonet - Up High, Down Low

Label: Sunnyside Records, 2023

Personnel - Alan Ferber: trombone; Chris Cheek: baritone saxophone; John Ellis: tenor saxophone; Jon Gordon: alto saxophone; Charles Pillow: alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass clarinet; Scott Wendholt: trumpet, flugelhorn; Nir Felder: guitar; David Cook: piano; Matt Clohesy: acoustic and electric bass; Mark Ferber: drums, percussion; Daniel Diaz: percussion (#1).

Trombonist and composer Alan Ferber returns with his highly respected nonet for a new album, the ensemble’s fifth, which is formulated with magnificent melody and majestic harmonic tapestries. The ensemble’s lineup has been changing over the years - Alan’s twin brother, drummer Mark Ferber, is the only one that remains since their 2005 debut album - but the main novel on Up High, Down Low is the versatile saxophonist Chris Cheek, here on baritone, who sits in for bass clarinetist Doug Yates. Boasting an attractive modern sound and fluid language, guitarist Nir Felder replaced Nate Radley with effective results, while pianist David Cook subbed for Bryn Roberts.

A perceptible piano motif gets things started on the title track, which opens the album with a lush orchestration containing horn counterpoint and strong textural guitar. The bandleader’s composing expertise allows all these instruments to create beautiful contrasts, and that comes to the fore on “Ambling”, an Ellingtonian piece that, similar to the standard “The More I See You”, will hit the spot for a general audience.

Five of the seven compositions on the album are Ferber’s, and his “Brimstone Boogaloo” is certainly a notable one. With stark ambition and drive, the piece has a Lee Morgan-esque, feel-good vibe enhanced by Matt Clohesely's torrid bass groove, exotic piano chordal work, and delightful melody. Multi-reedist Charles Pillow on flute and trumpeter Scott Wendholt have the word.

Felder and Cheek prove they are major assets in the latter’s “Ice Fall”, the album’s wonderful closer. The enchantment of this album gains even more charm with fine renditions of Joni Mitchell’s “Cherokee Louise”, where trombone and trumpet share the theme’s melody, and Norah Jones’ jazz-pop “Day Breaks”, which, reinforcing the wah-wah sounds of the original, is inflated by a bouncy tenor solo, courtesy of the sought-after reedman John Ellis.

Alan Ferber keeps casting his spell as a composer and arranger, and this renewed ensemble dances to his musical offerings with professionalism. It’s great to have musically rich moments like these at hand.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Up High, Down Low ► 02 - Brimstone Boogaloo ► 09 - Ice Fall

Alan Ferber Big Band - Jigsaw

Label/Year: Sunnyside Records, 2017

Lineup – Alan Ferber, John Fedchock, Jacob Garchik, Jennifer Wharton: trombone; John O'Gallagher, Rob Wilkerson, John Ellis, Jason Rigby, Chris Cheek: saxophones; Tony Kadleck, Scott Wendholt, Alex Norris, Clay Jenkins: trumpet; Anthony Wilson: guitar; David Cook: piano, keyboards; Matt Pavolka: bass; Mark Ferber: drums; Rogerio Boccato: percussion.

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Besides being a skillful trombonist, the Grammy award nominee Alan Ferber is a magical arranger and a focused bandleader. These true gifts make him an inevitable figure in the contemporary jazz universe. As a leader, he got notoriety for conducting a vibrant nonet whose album Roots & Transitions was definitely one of the most irresistible I had the chance to tackle last year.
The same sense of fulfillment applies to Jigsaw, his seventh album of originals, recorded with a 17-piece big band that includes some of the most enlivening jazz artists on the scene.

The superior quality that results from this compositional vision-meets-ravishing arrangements is fully felt on the first track, “Impulso”, an absolutely impulsive, gritty scorch established within a sumptuous, contemporary setting. Flowing at a moderate pace with a Latinized cool spirit, the tune finds the band wading into striking interplay before each soloist begins to express what's going on in their minds, starting with the bandleader, then saxophonist John O’Gallagher, and finishing with trumpeter Alex Norris, who finishes the story.

Guitarist Anthony Wilson handles the introductory section of a song he wrote, “She Won’t Look Back”. He employs slightly dissonant chords modeled by acerbic sound effects, a tactic that beautifully fits the languid air surrounding this half-dreamy, half-conscious pop fantasy. Here, the bass of Matt Pavolka is particularly highlighted.

Reveries of freedom arrive with the title track, whose more abstract, free-form overture obtains a bold avant-gardish tonality created by the kinky sounds flowing from David Cook’s keyboards. In addition to the enticing rhythmic contortions, one can indulge in O’Gallagher’s highly expressive saxophone improvisation filled with volcanic episodes, and there’s also time for a spontaneous percussive escapade by Mark Ferber, Alan’s twin brother.

Contradicting this last tune, we have the silkiness of “North Rampart”, a weeping ballad that besides intelligently harmonized and orchestrated, exhibits a catchy melody imprinted on the head. There’s also the Latin-tinged breezes of Paul McCandless’ “Lost in the Hours”, which acquires a pronounced Brazilian feel, considerably intensified through the action of percussionist Rogério Boccato, especially during the improvisations of trombonist John Fedchock and saxophonist Rob Wilkerson.

Muted trombones and trumpets prepare the ground for the soulfully groovy vibe that sustains “Get Sassy”, a brassy piece reminiscent of Mingus’ exultations, where the amazing teamwork eases the glorious blend of traditional and modern elements. A different concoction was achieved for Clay Jenkins’ “Late Bloomer”, artistically devised to contain unpretentious swinging jazz and brawny rock passages.

Jigsaw is a kaleidoscopic, up-to-the-minute jazz album that doesn’t need frivolous pyrotechnics or radical asymmetries or complicated meters to sound marvelous. It rather uses a genuine reciprocity between the highly committed musicians who, under the keen direction of Alan Ferber, provide another lovely and contagious big band record.

        Grade A

        Grade A

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Impulso ► 03 - Jigsaw ► 05 - Get Sassy

Alan Ferber Nonet - Roots and Transitions

Alan Ferber: trombone; Jon Gordon: alto saxophone; John Ellis: tenor saxophone; Scott Wendholt: trumpet; Shane Endsley: trumpet; Charles Pillow: bass clarinet; Nate Radley: guitar; Bryn Roberts: piano; Matt Clohesy: bass; Mark Ferber: drums.

Alan Ferber, a persuasive trombonist with strong writing skills and modernistic vision, keeps his nonet active since 2005, time when he released the excellent “Scenes From An Exit Row”. The saxophonist John Ellis and the drummer Mark Ferber, Alan’s twin brother, were the ones present in all the recordings of the nonet so far.
The leader sought inspiration on his two-year-old son, Theo, during the first months of his life, and the music conveys a comforting effect, filling our souls with an inebriating musicality that flows with passion and sensitivity.
The surefooted “Roots and Transitions” has a majestic opening with the stately downbeat “Quiet Confidence”, and moves forward providing us other memorable experiences. The edgy “Clocks” features outstanding solos from Jon Gordon and Nate Radley, “Wayfarer” presents a more traditional voice leading and structure, and “Cycles” exhibits a radiating collective improvisation over a motivic idea.

Favorite Tracks:
01 – Quiet Confidence ► 03 – Clocks ► 08 – Cycles