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The Remarkable Dave Brubeck

by Minnie Big Band

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The debut big band album by the Minnie Big Band. Includes a 6-panel gatefold case with photos from the recording and liner notes

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Remarkable Dave Brubeck via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Balcony Rock 04:40
2.
3.
Summer Song 05:16
4.
5.
6.
7.
Fujiyama 08:14
8.

about

Album Notes

I always imagined that one day I would record a big band album. There were many pages worth of ideas about possible tracks and musicians including where and when I would record it. In reality this album happened sooner than I had ever planned and has turned out so much better than I could have imagined! Getting to hear my compositions and arrangements played by such incredible musicians was a real honour and was absolutely the highlight of the bizarre year that was 2020.

In mid-2020 I began thinking about doing a possible album recording. This was a daunting concept at first as I had always done one off arrangements for performances and never a full set of music for an album. It seemed like a big task although I was really excited at the thought of spending a few months writing an entire album of new arrangements. The idea for the album came from extensive listening to Dave Brubeck's music and research into his life. The more I looked into him the more I found what an incredible life he led beyond his music. In my opinion who a person is when they put down their instrument is really important. Brubeck didn't fit the mould of the traditional jazz musician in the way he lived his life which I found so refreshing and lovely. I then discovered that December 2020 would have marked Brubeck's 100th birthday and it just seemed perfect to record an album entirely of his music. This album was recorded over a weekend in December. The first day of recording marked the anniversary of his death (December 5th) and the second was Brubeck’s 100th birthday (December 6th).

The actual writing of the music was a lot of fun and allowed me delve into a vast array of styles. Toshi Clinch was a big part in helping these arrangements and compositions come to life and I couldn't have done it without him. The music in this album does not fit into one specific genre or style but ranges all the way from a classic Basie style to more modern-day big band writing. During our first rehearsal in late November (mere days after lockdown was lifted here in Melbourne,) you could feel the energy and excitement in the room. This was not only due to the music. Most people in the band hadn't seen or played with each other in many months. I am so grateful to everyone who played on the album and spent countless hours with me workshopping the pieces. This 2020 'Minnie Big Band' is truly one of a kind just like the year it was recorded. I am very proud to have renowned trombonist Marshall Gilkes featuring on my original composition, 'Remarkable'.

Thank you for supporting my music. I hope you enjoy listening!

"Balcony Rock" starts off the album in typical Basie style. I really wanted to emulate the sense of excitement that is heard in so many of Basie's albums. This track was particularly inspired by the album 'Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings' which I spent the first half of 2020 transcribing. This is the first time you'll hear Carlo Barbaro on alto saxophone who is playing the main melody. Paul Desmond was Brubeck's long-time collaborator on saxophone and Carlo did not disappoint in his role as the famous saxophonist. There is also a solo from Sam Ondaatje on tenor saxophone.

"Blue Rondo a la Turk" was the first piece that I arranged for this album and progresses through many different styles including a 9/8 Afro-Cuban feel, Swing, Cha-Cha-Cha and 6/8 Bembe. There is quite a lot going on in this arrangement but I have kept the main melody very recognisable. It was great fun to arrange and conduct for these odd time signatures! This track features Carlo Barbaro on alto saxophone and Gianni Marinucci on trumpet.

"Summer Song" was originally written by Brubeck and his wife of 70 years Iola. The melody and lyrics are both beautiful and I knew as soon as I heard it that it should be the ballad for the album. While this is a traditional ballad in many ways, it also includes some more bluesy elements and double time feel alongside the traditional ballad feel. This arrangement was very much inspired by Quincy Jones' "Quintessence" originally recorded in 1962 with Phil Woods as the feature saxophonist. In a similar way you will again hear Carlo Barbaro play both the melody and solo for this piece.

"Here Comes McBride/Unsquare Dance" were both compositions of Brubeck's that featured a prominent bassline. As a result of this I thought it could work really well to combine the two together. This particular arrangement ventures into the sounds of writers like Thad Jones whose writing has a bit more grit to it. You will hear solos by Blakely McLean Davies on bass, Jack Earle on piano and Tim Wilson on alto saxophone.

"Remarkable" is an original composition that I began a few years ago. I knew at the time that I wanted to develop it into a full big band piece like it is now but knew that I didn't have the skills yet to do it. After much listening of Marshall Gilkes' big band albums with the WDR big band I knew that I wanted to produce a similar modern sound for this composition. As a result of this I was fortunate to spend some time learning from Marshall online. I have really come to value his approach to writing and how he thinks about his compositions. This was a great help and I'm thrilled to say that this track features Marshall on trombone.

"Blues for Newport" was arranged in a medium swing style with the aim of giving each part of the band a feature moment. After the clarinet and trumpet melody, the build-up starts with the trombone section before progressing to the saxophones, trumpets and then the whole band. This development is finally resolved by Nick Mulder's trombone solo. The concept for the arrangement was greatly inspired by the music of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band which is always loud, exciting and fun to listen to! Solos on this track feature Jack Earle on piano, Nick Mulder on trombone and Ollie Shute on drums.

"Fujiyama" is another track on the album that features a more modern sound. Arranged by both myself and Toshi Clinch it begins with a tribute to the original recording, beginning with only alto saxophone and sparse rhythm section after the initial introduction. Following on from this, the arrangement launches into a driving straight 8th's feel that is relentless up until the end. This track features Carlo Barbaro on alto saxophone and Jordan Murray on trombone.

"Lullaby de Mexico" finishes the album with a lush and peaceful melody in a Bossa Nova style, played by Carlo Barbaro on alto saxophone and Mia Barham on baritone saxophone. I really wanted to capture the calm and beautiful sound of the original recording which was a challenge with a full big band! In order to achieve this I took full use of mutes within the brass section and woodwind doubles. After the initial melody and flugelhorn solo the piece transitions into a high energy Samba to mark an exciting end to the album. My intention for the last section was to create the idea of a party through the overlapping sections and a roaring alto saxophone solo before the final last shout from the band. Solos on this track feature Gianni Marinucci on flugelhorn, Jack Earle on piano and Carlo Barbaro on alto saxophone.

credits

released July 2, 2021

Minnie Big Band Personnel

Minnie Hill- composer, arranger, conductor
Marshall Gilkes- trombone (track 5)

Carlo Barbaro (feature)- alto saxophone/clarinet
Tim Wilson- alto saxophone/soprano sax/flute/clarinet
Flora Carbo- alto saxophone/bass clarinet
Sam Ondaatje- tenor saxophone/soprano sax/flute/clarinet
Cheryl Clark- tenor saxophone/flute/clarinet
Mia Barham- baritone saxophone/flute/clarinet

Nick Mulder- trombone
Jordan Murray- trombone
Dave Palmer- trombone
Joe O'Callaghan- bass trombone

Shane Gillard- trumpet/flugelhorn (lead - 3, 5-7)
Mick Fraser- trumpet/flugelhorn (lead - 1,2,4,8)
Gianni Marinucci- trumpet/flugelhorn
Thien Pham- trumpet/flugelhorn

Jack Earle- piano
Blakely McLean Davies- bass
Ollie Shute- drums
Phil Binotto & Toshi Clinch- percussion

All selections arranged by Minnie Hill with the exception of Fujiyama arranged by Minnie Hill and Toshi Clinch.
Tracks 2-4, 6,7 composed by Dave Brubeck. Track 8 composed by Gerry Mulligan. Track 1 composed by Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. Track 5 composed by Minnie Hill.

produced by Minnie Hill and Toshi Clinch
recording engineer/mixing/mastering by Jarrad Gilson
recorded December 5th, 6th 2020 at Oaklands Recording Studio
photography by Josh Calabrese and Nicole Calabrese
album artwork by Matthew Hollings
CD replication by Replicat

All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication prohibited by applicable laws. Made in Australia.
The APRA AMCOS repertoire on this recording is licensed by APRA AMCOS.
Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance or communication to the public prohibited.

www.minniekayemusic.com
© & ℗ 2021 Minnie Kaye Music

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Minnie Kaye Music Melbourne, Australia

Minnie Hill is a Melbourne based composer, arranger and saxophonist who is making her mark in the music scene as a talented and prolific writer. Minnie writes for both big band and smaller jazz ensembles and regularly leads ensembles at the Paris Cat Jazz Club in Melbourne. Minnie has just recorded her debut big band album; 'The Remarkable Dave Brubeck which is set to be released in July 2021. ... more

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