Listening to...

Some unique new music for me:

Esperanto by Lalo Schifrin. I've always been a fan of the composer of the themes to "Mission: Impossible" and "Mannix", and this CD doesn't disappoint. Featuring a collaboration between Schifrin, the WDR Big Band of Cologne Germany and several guest artists including Jean-Luc Ponty and Don Byron, the colors are fantastic.

Pictures at an Exhibition by the HR Big Band. This is an amazing CD--the classic orchestral work by Moussourgsky-Ravel, arranged (actually re-constituted and re-composed) by the great jazz composer and pianist Clare Fisher. Reminiscent of the old Gil Evans projects Sketches of Spain and +19 with Miles Davis.

Music & Mistletoe by Wayne Bergeron with the After Hours Brass. Interesting arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols performed by a collection of LA session brass and rhythm section players. Some very clever ideas!

Act Your Age by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. Can't let a new CD by Gordon get out without getting it and giving it a listen. Really nice stuff, as always, and the band is amazing.

Bach Transcriptions by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. These are major Bach works scored for symphony orchestra. I have always loved Schoenberg's orchestration of Bach's St. Anne's Fugue in Eb major, though recordings were scarce for years. It's on here, with many other great renditions.