Up from the Skies - Music of Jim McNeely

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra continues the tradition of excellence that was the core ingredient when it began life as the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra during the 1960s. Now led by pianist/conductor/composer/arranger Jim McNeely, the band brings life to his stimulating charts with tight ensembles and strong solos throughout the session. The first track is a bit of a surprise, a breezy jazz setting of rocker Jimi Hendrix's "Up from the Skies" that is a good bit more harmonically adventurous than the original record. The pianist's unusual blues "Life of Riley" showcases drummer John Riley and trombonist Luis Bonilla in a post-bop theme that constantly shifts into a new direction. His haunting ballad "In This Moment" has a melancholy air, with McNeely opening the work alone before giving way to Scott Wendholt's subdued but powerful flugelhorn. McNeely's three-part suite "One Question, Three Answers" features three tantalizing movements, with each one showcasing a pair of soloists. "Don't Even Ask" is a fluid post-bop vehicle featuring alto saxophonist Billy Drewes (one of Manhattan's first-call reedmen), McNeely and bassist Dennis Irwin, the latter in one of his last recordings with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra before losing his fight with cancer in early 2008.