Porgy and Bess: Redefined

by Mark Masters

Overview

So many songs from George Gershwin's folk opera Porgy & Bess have become standards that jazz fans likely take them for granted. But Mark Masters' large ensemble arrangements of selections from this work are anything but typical. "Summertime" showcases virtuoso solos connected by often wild interludes in a post-bop setting frequently marked by changes in tempo. "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" suggests a throwback to the era of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, but with a modern flavor. Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper and Tim Hagans (on muted trumpet) shine in "Gone, Gone, Gone," in a chart which alternates between a mournful air with lush backgrounds and an avant-garde fury. "It Ain't Necessarily So" has a swaggering flavor with almost vocal-like solos. Also groundbreaking is the leader's inventive scoring of "I Loves You, Porgy," featuring baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, Don Shelton on alto flute, along with Hagans and Harper. This CD should be considered one of the landmark interpretations of Porgy & Bess to come along since Gil Evans' famous recording with Miles Davis decades earlier. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	03/22/2005
Label:	Capri
UPC:	0054987406928
Rank:	143548

Tracks

1. Introduction
2. Summertime
3. A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
4. Gone, Gone, Gone
5. My Man's Gone Now
6. It Ain't Necessarily So
7. Here Comes de Honey Man
8. I Loves You Porgy
9. A Red Headed Woman
10. Clara, Clara
11. There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mark Masters   Primary Artist,Conductor
Bill Roper   Tuba
John Riley   Sax (Tenor),Bassoon
Don Shelton   Flute (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano),Soloist
Ray Drummond   Double Bass,Piano,Soloist
Dave Woodley   Trombone
Stephanie O'Keefe   French Horn
Billy Harper   Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
Les Lovitt   Trumpet
Cecilia Coleman   Piano
Greg Huckins   Clarinet (Bass)
Joe La Barbera   Soloist,Drums
Tim Hagans   Trumpet,Soloist
Tom DeLibero   Trumpet
Bob Carr   Clarinet (Bass)
Les Benedict   Trombone
Gary Smulyan   Soloist,Sax (Baritone)
Louis Fasman   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Andy Waterman   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Stacy Carson   Assistant,Mastering
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Ron Teeples   Photography,Executive Producer
Thomas C. Burns   Executive Producer
Todd Reid   Design
Anthony Cuca   Artwork
Mark Masters   Arranger,Executive Producer