Where do we stand with contemporary big band jazz? Among the contributions to the genre, double bassist and composer Michael Formanek provides an answer through his works and arrangements conceived for big jazz orchestra. The most convincing example of his work can be found on the album The Distance, released in 2016 on the ECM label with the Kolossus ensemble, tailor-made to interpret his art and featuring artists of the highest calibre – Mary Halvorson, Kris Davis, Tim Berne, Chris Speed, Mark Helias and others.
The album consisted of the opus’ title track, followed by a prelude entitled Exoskeleton preceding eight distinct parts grouped into four movements. This was indeed a major project under Michael Formanek’s guidance.
His rhythmic choices correspond in large part to those of the most seasoned composers/improvisers of this generation. He manages to retain the swing or impression of swing while exploiting a variety of compound-measure rhythms, well beyond binary or ternary. The harmonic choices are drawn from over half a century of modern and contemporary music, written and improvised, European and American.
This time, a congruous share of Montreal’s jazz elite took part in this complete rereading of Distance’s six pieces. Michael Formanek’s strong line-up featured some excellent improvisations from the trumpeters, particularly Bill Mahar and Jocelyn Couture, supported by the equally capable David Carbonneau and Aaron Doyle. The most experienced of the saxophonists was the most eloquent, but Jean-Pierre Zanella shared performance and improvisation duties with Annie Dominique, whom we’re just getting to know, and a number of highly skilled players, including Samuel Blais, Frank Lozano and Alexandre Côté. The trombones also revealed changes in the line-up with Margaret Donovan. Teodora Joy Kadonoff and Taylor Donaldson joined Dave Grott.
It’s worth noting that all these musicians have adapted to the harmonic challenges posed by Michael Formanek’s works. Pianist Marianne Trudel and guitarist Steve Raegele often use atonal or serial language, perfectly in tune with the aesthetics of this vast project.
For this music from The Distance to gain in power, it would be necessary for several ensembles to play it and transcend the known versions. In any case, the performance on Thursday was rigorous, studious and diligent.
PROGRAM
Conductor | David Russell Martin
Invited Artist | Michael Formanek (Contrebasse)
Orchestre national de jazz |
Saxophones | Jean-Pierre Zanella, Samuel Blais, Annie Dominique, Frank Lozano, Alexandre Coté
Trombones | Dave Grott, Margaret Donovan, Taylor Donaldson, Teadora Joy Kadonoff
Trumpets | Jocelyn Couture, Aron Doyle, David Carbonneau, Bill Mahar
Piano | Marianne Trudel
Guitar | Steve Raegele
Marimba | João Catalão
Drums | Paulo Max Riccardo
1The Distance
(Michael Formanek)05:59
2Exoskeleton: Prelude
(Michael Formanek)09:04
3Exoskeleton Parts I-III: Impenetrable / Beneath the Shell / @heart
(Michael Formanek)21:34
4Exoskeleton Parts IV-V: Echoes / Without Regrets
(Michael Formanek)15:42
5Exoskeleton Parts VI-VII: Shucking While Jiving / A Reptile Dysfunction
(Michael Formanek)11:29
6Exoskeleton Part VIII: Metamorphic
(Michael Formanek)
