Orchestras
Guitarist Bill Frisell’s new double LP Orchestras documents two inspired concert-hall engagements arranged by Michael Gibbs for Frisell’s long-standing trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston: one featuring the nearly 60-piece Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Alexander Hanson; and one with the 11-piece Umbria Jazz Orchestra, under the musical direction of Manuele Morbidini. But as with so much of Frisell’s music over the past four decades, a relatively straightforward concept and a familiar songbook yield quietly stirring revelations. The music showcases a level of comfort and interactivity that far transcends the vast majority of “with strings” projects on the jazz record shelf. Sweeping orchestration evoking landmark film scores and Gil Evans alike move nimbly within and around the trio’s telepathic rapport, and Frisell’s shimmering trademark tone melds gorgeously with symphonic strings and brass. The 3-LP D2C exclusive vinyl version adds a 3rd disc of material that will not be available anywhere else.
Disc 1
Featuring Brussels Philharmonic
Alexander Hanson: Conductor
Side A
1. Nocturne Vulgaire (3:15)
Composed by Michael Gibbs
Published by Michael C. Gibbs (PRS/MCPS)
2. Lush Life (5:09)
Written by Billy Strayhorn
Published by Billy Strayhorn Songs Inc. / Reservoir Media Music (ASCAP)
3. Doom (4:47)
Written by Ron Carter
Published by Retrac Productions Inc. (BMI)
4. Rag (4:26)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
5. Throughout (6:01)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
Side B
1. Electricity (5:55)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
2. Sweet Rain (5:57)
Composed by Michael Gibbs
Published by On Stage Music (BMI)
3. Richter 858, No.7 (7:04)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
4. Beautiful Dreamer (3:15)
Written by Stephen Foster
Published by Public Domain
Bill Frisell: guitar
Thomas Morgan: bass
Rudy Royston: drums
Brussels Philharmonic:
Violin 1
Otto Derolez: Concertmaster
Bart Lemmens: Soloist
Olivia Bergeot: Tutti
Annelies Broeckhoven: Tutti
Cristina Constantinescu: Tutti
Justine Rigutto: Tutti
Kristina Rimkeviciute: Tutti
Elizaveta Rybentseva: Tutti
Anton Skakun: Tutti
Alissa Vaitsner: Tutti
Dante Cáceres: Tutti
Christophe Pochet: Tutti
Violin 2
Mari Hagiwara: Principal
Samuel Nemtanu: Principal
Francisco Dourthé Orrego: Tutti
Aline Janeczek: Tutti
Eléonore Malaboeuf: Tutti
Sayoko Mundy: Tutti
Naoko Ogura: Tutti
Julien Poli: Tutti
Véronique Burstin: Tutti
Alexis Delporte: Tutti
Viola
Kris Hellemans: Principal
Griet François: Soloist
Philippe Allard: Tutti
Hélène Koerver: Tutti
Agnieszka Kosakowska: Tutti
Patricia Van Reusel: Tutti
José-Miguel Almeida Freitas: Tutti
Thi Ngoc Phung Ha: Tutti
Violoncello
Kristaps Bergs: Principal
Kirsten Andersen: Tutti
Barbara Gerarts: Tutti
Sophie Jomard: Tutti
Emmanuel Tondus: Tutti
Elke Wynants: Tutti
Double Bass
Jan Buysschaert: Principal
Thomas Fiorini: Tutti
Simon Luce: Tutti
Luzia Correia Rendeiro Vieira: Tutti
Flute
Wouter Van den Eynde: Principal
Sarah Miller: Tutti
Oboe
Balder Dendievel: Principal
Lode Cartrysse: Solist
Clarinet
Anne Boeykens: Principal
Midori Mori: Soloist
Bassoon
Marceau Lefèvre: Principal
Alexander Kuksa: Tutti
Horn
Hans van der Zanden: Principal
Mieke Ailliet Soloist
Claudia Rigoni: Tutti
Trumpet
Ward Hoornaert: Principal
Luc Sirjacques: Tutti
Trombone
Guido Liveyns: Principal
Yoran Ambroes: Tutti
Tuba
Jean Xhonneux: Soloist
Timpani
Gert François: Principal
Harp
Eline Groslot: Soloist
Recorded September 23 and 24, 2022 at De Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium and Flagey, Brussels, Belgium
Live Recording Engineer and pre-mixing: Patrick Lemmens, High Score Recording
Jazz programmer Muziekcentrum De Bijloke: Kristof Roseeuw
Jazz programmer Flagey: Maarten Van Rousselt
Artistic director Brussels Philharmonic: Judith Van Eeckhout
Commission by Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Flagey and Brussels Philharmonic, in the series “Jazz Meets Symphonic”
Concerts produced by Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Flagey and Brussels Philharmonic
Many thanks to Kristof Roseeuw, Marten Van Rousselt, Judith Van Eeckhout, Jim Seynaeve, Tom Pipeleers and everyone at Brussels Philharmonic.
Disc 2
Featuring The Umbria Jazz Orchestra
Manuele Morbidini: Music Director
Side C
1. Lookout for Hope (7:09)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
2. Levees (4:28)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
3. Strange Meeting (6:23)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
Side D
1. Doom (6:30)
Written by Ron Carter
Published by Retrac Productions Inc. (BMI)
2. Electricity (4:09)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
3. Monica Jane (6:49)
Written by Bill Frisell
Published by Friz-Tone Music (BMI)
4. We Shall Overcome (4:48)
Traditional
Published by Public Domain
Arranged by Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell: guitar
Thomas Morgan: bass
Rudy Royston: drums
The Umbria Jazz Orchestra:
Pietro Tonolo: Soprano Sax, Flute, Alto Flute
Manuele Morbidini: Alto Sax, Clarinet, Conductor
Pedro Spallati: Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Clarinet
Rossano Emili: Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Mirco Rubegni: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Francesco Lento: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Giovanni Hoffer: French Horn
Massimo Morganti: Trombone
Federico Pierantoni: Trombone
Glauco Benedetti: Tuba
Eva Zahn: Cello
Recorded December 30, 2021 - January 1, 2022 at Teatro Mancinelli, Orvieto, Italy
Live Recording Engineers: Marco Melchior, Claudio Venturelli
Additional recording by Adam Muñoz at 25th St. Recording, Oakland, California
Assistant engineer: Jeff Kohlhede
Production Assistance: Stefano Lazzari, Annika Larsson Rugiano, Ava Szene, Francesco Chiocci
Many thanks to Carlo Pagnotta, Enzo Capra and Fondazione Di Partecipazione Umbria Jazz.
Michael Gibbs: Arranger
Produced by Lee Townsend
Mixed by Adam Muñoz at 25th St. Recording, Oakland, California
Assistant: Jeff Kohlhede
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound, Edgewater, NJ
Vinyl Mastered by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound, Nashville, TN
Live Sound: Claudia Engelhart
1968.
I’m dreaming of music.
I heard a sound.
Sweet Rain.
Michael Gibbs.
A hero.
Soon to be teacher, mentor, friend, imaginator, instigator, door opener, up lifter, positive thinker, enthusiastic harmonizer.
To say this album is a dream come true would be an understatement.
Michael and Bill would like to give special thanks to Gary Burton, Herb Pomeroy, Steve Swallow, and Carla Bley.
Many thanks to Phyllis Oyama, Kevin Lee, Hans Wendl, everyone at Saudades Tourneen and Michael Morris / Mint Talent Group.