A Beautiful Day by Andrew Hill

17 May

Written by Bill Falconer
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Creativity is the core of jazz and the center of composer/pianist Andrew Hill's being. His half-century career reads like a jazz history. Discovered by Earl Hines, mentored by Bill Russo, influenced by Hindemith. Gigs with Miles and Bird. Performed with Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Leader at Blue Note in sessions with Eric Dolphy, Kenny Dorham and Sam Rivers. Came back to recording after a ten-year hiatus and won the Downbeat and Jazz Times "Jazz Album of the Year"awards for 2001 with his sextet album, "Dusk." Still performing regularly with his trio. And yes, now it's his turn to be a mentor and teacher.

This session includes eight of Hill's originals, recorded live at Birdland in January. His music is not meant to be inspected, dissected and analyzed but to be felt. It will involve you emotionally. The language is not that of the conventional big band; it is Andrew Hill's , a mix of cacophony and great beauty often within the same composition. He uses all the orchestral colors. He shifts time and space. The band itself is not conventional. It represents an extension of the sextet and includes the solo voices that made "Dusk." The brass section welcomes a tuba. The woodwinds include bass clarinets and flutes which add to the sensitivity of "Faded Beauty." "Divine Revelation" suggests the emergence of form from chaos. He is featured on piano in his concerto " New Pinnochio" but he and his instrument are always there, leading, inspiring and probing.

Exciting, complex and rewarding music from a jazz master.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Andrew Hill
CD Title: A Beautiful Day
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2002
Record Label: Palmetto Records
Tracks: Divine Revelation, Faded Beauty, Bellezza, 5 Mo, New Pinnochio, J Di, A Beautiful Day, 11/8.
Musicians: Andrew Hill (Piano), Scott Colley (Bass), Nasheet Waits (Drums), Aaron Stewart, (Tenor Saxophone), John Savage, (Alto Saxophone), Marty Ehrlich (Alto Sax, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute), Greg Tardy(Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet), J.D. Parron (Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet), Ron Horton, Dave Ballou, Laurie Frink and Bruce Stallins (Trumpets), Charlie Gordon, Joe Fiedler and Mike Fahn (Trombones) Jose DAvila (Tuba).'
Label Website: http://www.palmetto-records.com
Rating: Five Stars