Record Reviews

ED PARTYKA JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ ED PARTYKA, ARRANGER - COMPOSER TCB 38702 (Barcode: 725095387026) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2025 This is the 5th album by American Jazz composer / arranger / conductor / educator Ed PartykaFind albums by this artist and his Ed Partyka Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist. The album presents four extended tracks, two of which are original compositions by Partyka, one is by Charlie ParkerFind albums by this artist and finally one is by Kenny KirklandFind albums by this artist, all arranged for the orchestra by Partyka. Partyka moved to Europe in 1990 and has been conducting Jazz Big Bands / Orchestras all over the continent, as well as being a proficient educator. He established the Berlin based Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra in 2007. Partyka admits to being deeply inspired by the work of American trombonist / composer / arranger Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, and this album is a tribute to Brookmeyer. The music emphasizes the European approach to Jazz Orchestral music, which treats the orchestra as an organic body. As a result, there are relatively few soli within each track on this album, and most of the music is performed by the entire orchestra, cleverly using the interplay between all the instruments. The music is based on solid melodic themes and the arrangements skillfully utilize changing moods and sound colors, which produce an elegant flow and continuity. Overall, for lovers of Big Band / Orchestral Jazz, this is a true feast, from start to finish, which shows that large Jazz ensembles are still a very important part of the scene and can be as creative and entertaining as all other forms of Jazz music, if not more so. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 30/09/2025Posted: 25/09/2025

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