THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THOMAS CLAUSEN TRIO & JEAN THOREL

SYMBIOSIS TRIBUTE TO BILL EVANS

Pentatone Music

This tribute album opens with an “Interlude into Waltz for Debby.”  The strings of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra soar under the direction of conductor, Jean Thorel. This Interlude is part of a suite of music that contains six movements. The orchestra celebrates Bill Evans with their arrangements of his compositions. The entire suite was recorded ‘live’ to tribute pianist/ composer Bill Evans and his timeless influence on jazz.

The first track is followed by “Time Remembered.”  In 1969, Danish Jazz trumpeter and composer Palle Mikkelborg was commissioned by the Danish radio to compose this Bill Evans Suite.  The music is comprised of themes from famous compositions by Evans. It was originally recorded for a television program that featured the Danish Radio Big Band and members of the Royal Danish Orchestra. It’s a combination of string arrangements with a jazz trio featured. The suite is a little over thirty minutes long.

On the 4^th Track, “Interlude (Treasures)” Mikkelborg’s lovely trumpet blows beauty above the symphonic arrangement. Thomas Clausen takes a stunning piano solo.  On “Waltz for Debby” bassist Thomas Fonnesbaeck shines during his impressive solo.

This beautifully arranged Suite of music is followed by “For Pi” written by Thomas Clausen as a jazz ballad, echoing the Bill Evans solo piano piece from his “Peace Piece,” a gem on the second Evans trio album, “Everybody Digs Bill Evans” (1958). This time, Anders Malta is the featured trumpeter.

The “Symbiosis” part of this recording reflects the first full ‘live’ concert performance.  It continues to offer a contemporary perspective of the ‘Evans’ music, along with the sophistication an orchestra brings to the project. The trio spotlights the swing and improvisation of jazz in a masterful way.

This Album was recorded at Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore in 2023. The beauty and jazz trio intimacy, blended with the magnificent Singapore Symphony Orchestra, holds the music and style of Bill Evans in high regard.

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA features: Jean Thorel, conductor; Matthieu Arama, concertmaster; Samuel Phua & Michellina Chan, alto saxophones; Luo Tianze, alto & tenor saxophone; Jeffrey Gao, alto & baritone saxophones. (For Pi, Treasures) Anders Malta, trumpet; (on For Pi) Evgueni Brokmiller, flute. THOMAS CLAUSEN TRIO: Thomas Clausen, piano; Thomas Fonnesboeck, bass; Karsten Bagge, drums.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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