The Jazz Ballad Song Book

Album Review

Randy Brecker is one of the most versatile trumpeters in jazz, easily adapting to a variety of styles, but for these 2010 sessions he is a guest of the DR Big Band, augmented by the strings of the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, playing a mix of standards, movie themes, and originals. "All or Nothing at All" is forever associated with Frank Sinatra, but Peter Jensen's colorful scoring makes it a perfect backdrop for the soloist, with an additional feature for Pelle Fridell on baritone sax. "Someday My Prince Will Come" has long been a favorite of jazz musicians, popularized by Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans; Brecker's buoyant playing in Jesper Riis' breezy arrangement keeps this decades-old gem fresh. John Barry's "Goldfinger" is a bit more of a challenge, but Nikolaj Bøgelund's creative score adds a snappy touch to accompany Brecker's adventurous solo. Brecker's compositions include the hip "I Talk to the Trees" and the multifaceted "Foregone Conclusion," both arranged by Vince Mendoza. The sole jazz standard is a richly textured setting of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight." While opportunities for a jazz soloist to record with a large ensemble in the U.S. are infrequent, Randy Brecker has joined numerous American artists in going to Europe to create memorable CDs like The Jazz Ballad Song Book.