The Power and the Glory: A Salute to Louis Armstrong

Performer: Jim McNeely
Engineer: Lars Palsig
Producer: Ole Mathisen; Ole Matthiessen
Distributor: Allegro Corporation (Dist

Notes: Full performer name: Leroy Jones & The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra. Personnel: Leroy Jones (vocals, trumpet). Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra: Jim McNeely (conductor, piano); Michael Hove (alto saxophone); Tomas Franck, Uffe Markussen (tenor saxophone); Henrik Bolberg, Thomas Fryland (trumpet); Vincent Nilsson, Steen Hansen, Peter Jensen (trombone); Nikolaj Bentzon (piano); Chico Lindvall (guitar); Thomas Ovesen (bass); Soren Frost (drums). Recorded live at Copenhagen JazzHouse, Copenhagen, Denmark on January 22, 23 & 27, 2001. Includes liner notes by Mike Hennesey. Personnel: Jim McNeely (piano); Nicolai Schultz, Michael Hove, Uffe Markussen, Tomas Franck, Flemming Madsen (reeds); Henrik Bolberg Pedersen, Anders Gustafsson, Thomas Fryland, Thomas Kj�rgaard, Leroy Jones, Benny Rosenfeld (trumpet); Steen Hansen, Vincent Nilsson, Axel Windfel (trombone); Nikolaj Bentzon (piano); Soren Frost (drums); Ethan Weisgard (percussion). Audio Mixers: Ole Matthiessen; Jim McNeely; Lars Palsig. Recording information: Copenhagen Jazzhouse, Copenhagen, Denmark (01/22/2001-01/27/2001); El Vaerket, Holbaek (01/22/2001-01/27/2001). Photographer: Jan Persson. Arrangers: Harry Connick, Jr.; Peter Jensen; Jim McNeely; Vincent Nilsson; Bill Potts. This live CD is a tribute to Louis Armstrong by the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra (conducted by Jim McNeely) with special guest Leroy Jones on trumpet and vocals. That doesn't mean that this is a mundane attempt at replicating Satchmo's recordings of these songs: McNeely's arrangements (as well as others' contributions) have a fresh sound yet remain acceptable, for the most part, to hardcore purists. Jones' roots in New Orleans jazz are solid; this native of the city has proved himself on his earlier dates as a leader. He makes no attempt to replicate Armstrong's fat, rich tone or gravel-like vocals, instead showing the confidence in his own style as a trumpeter and singer. McNeely's The Power and the Glory is an original that incorporates several of Armstrong's works, including "West End Blues," "I'm Not Rough," "Wild Man Blues," "Muggles," and "Potato Head Blues," though the addition of a brittle-sounding electric guitar solo at one point demonstrates a rather sudden departure from the expected. Peter Jensen's arrangement of "Dinah" sounds like something that could have been written for the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Trombonist Vincent Nilsson's imaginative chart for "Someday You'll Be Sorry" incorporates Jones' muted trumpet and lively vocals with bass clarinet and tuba in a lush swinging setting. The most straight-ahead approach is heard on the interpretation of Armstrong's theme song, "When It's Sleepy Time Down South." The overall musicianship of the orchestra (including individual solos) is never less than first rate. This CD should provide a nice break from the school of re-creating works of jazz masters that end up sounding like fifth generation carbon copies. ~ Ken Dryden

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