Variety Orchestra by Brian Woodbury

15 Mar

Written by Glenn Astarita
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Composer Brian Woodbury’s musical palate spans multiple genres and stylizations. He composes for TV, and delves into pop every so often. In essence, his multifaceted persona shines radiantly throughout this highly entertaining event, jazz-based event.

Woodbury and his orchestra fuse C&W, Tango, and Mexican mariachi music with English folk, progressive jazz, and other elements via this worldly program. Besides, the music is focused, intelligently arranged, and rhythmic in scope. The orchestra incorporates playful elements into pieces, awash with R&B grooves, pedal steel guitar choruses, and classical violin etudes, among other niceties. On "Long May She Wave," Woodbury’s muse might parallel the late Frank Zappa’s penchant for knotty twists and turns. The band even merges a touch of ballroom dancing type music into the grand scheme of things in concert with some edgy, prog-rock type overtures. In addition, there’s an Andrew Sisters drenched three-part harmony on the piece "Threnody For Kennedy And Connally." As they say, variety is the spice of life. And musically speaking, that notion is driven home with this multihued and attractively textured affair. (Strongly recommended.... )

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Brian Woodbury
CD Title: Variety Orchestra
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2004
Record Label: Some Phil Music
Tracks: Take the J Train, Mom, Garbanzo Beans, Venice Italy, Jesus Christ Alrighty, Long May She Wave, Threnody for Kennedy and Connally, Shenandoah/Innsbruck
Musicians: Nick Arionado, Guy Klucevek, Tom Massucci (accordion); Oren Bloedow, Conrad Korsch, Sue Williams (acoustic and electric bass); Marty Cutler (banjo), Marc Muller (pedal steel/guitar and banjo); Jonathan Feinberg (drums and percussion), Dan Morris (drums); Kory Grossman, Kristina Kanders, Bill Ruyle (percussion); Peter Lurye, Elma Mayer, David Witham (piano); Will Connel, Steve Elson, Aaron Heick, Kurt Hoffman (saxophones/reeds); Dan Levine (trombone); Frank London, Jim O’Conner (trumpet, Fluglehorn); Michael Webster (vibes); Marc Feldman, Dana Friedli, Sarah Parkins (violin); Stephanie Courtney, Deb Hiett, Elma Mayer, Dudley Saunders (vocal)
Label Website: http://www.somephil.com
Rating: Four Stars