Kenny Wheeler – Live ’71: The Kenny Wheeler Big Band & Friends (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Kenny Wheeler – Live ’71: The Kenny Wheeler Big Band & Friends (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 29:32 minutes | 308 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © British Progressive Jazz

A soaringly joyous album from British trumpeter Kenny Wheeler – one that has him leading a larger group in a style that resonates with similar projects of the time from artists like Mike Westbrook or Michael Gibbs!

Wheeler delivers some magnificent trumpet and flugelhorn solos – very much at the more straightforward, soulful side of his range – and the ensemble is overflowing with work from top-shelf contemporaries – including Mike Taylor on some key electric piano lines, next to Mike Osborne on alto, Tony Roberts on tenor, Ian Hamer on trumpet, Bobby Lamb and Keith Chrsitie on trombones, Alan Branscombe on acoustic piano, Ron Mathewson on bass, and Tony Oxley on drums and percussion.

The feel of the record is great – very much like better-known sessions where some of the top-shelf UK talents come together in a unified voice – and the set also features guest tenor from Evan Parker, trombone from Chris Pyne, and vocals from Norma Winstone. Winstone sings on “Song For Someone” – and other instrumental tracks include “Mikei”, “Some Days Are Better”, and “CP EP”.

Recorded live in London on the 24th May 1971. Previously unreleased. Stereophonic sound. Currently the earliest known recording of Kenny Wheeler leading his own big band.

Tracklist:
01. Kenny Wheeler – Mikei (Live) (06:42)
02. Kenny Wheeler – Song For Someone (Live) (05:18)
03. Kenny Wheeler – Some Days Are Better (Live) (11:17)
04. Kenny Wheeler – CP EP (Live) (06:15)

Personnel:
Kenny Wheeler – trumpet & flugelhorn
Mike Osborne – alto saxophone
David Horler – trombone
Tony Roberts – tenor saxophone
Ian Hamer – trumpet
Greg Bowen – trumpet
Dave Hancock – trumpet
Bobby Lamb – trombone
Keith Christie – trombone
Pete Harvey – trombone
Alfie Reece – tuba
Alan Branscombe – piano
John Taylor – electric piano
Ron Mathewson – double bass
Tony Oxley – drums & percussion

With guest appearances by:
Evan Parker – tenor saxophone (track 4)
Chris Pyne – trombone (track 4)
Norma Winstone – voice (track 2)

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