P.J. PERRY
& The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Justin Time)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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P.J. Perry is hardly the first saxophonist to attempt to marry jazz sax with orchestral strings, but he may be one of the most successful. With support from a conventional rhythm section, a Latin percussionist and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Perry explores a broad range of jazz in a variety of settings, and while some parts of the disc are more satisfying than others, the results are better than not throughout.

Charlie Parker made one of the earliest attempts to unite bop and strings, with mixed results, and Perry tips his hat to the master with a Charlie Parker Medley that is one of the high points here. His Bossa Nova Medley is similarly successful. The Ballad Medley, with selections from Charlie Haden and Duke Ellington, is less so, but still better than most of the easy listening new age pop that passes for smooth jazz. The orchestrations remove most of the grit from the mix, but Perry manages to swing even when the strings are static.

This might be an ideal way to introduce some of your friends who just don't get it to jazz, and it's a fine backdrop for an autumn afternoon. It's not an unqualified success, but it's a worthy effort and a pleasant experience.

Track List:

Django * Charlie Parker Medley: The Song Is You/April In Paris/They Can't Take That Away From Me/Lover * Bossa Nova Medley: Corcovado/Girl From Ipanema/Kirasamba/One-Note Samba * They Kept Bach's Head Alive * Ballad Medley: A Song For Ruth/Sophisticated Lady/Dear Old Stockholm * Hand In Hand * Harlem Nocturne * The Old Castle * Strike Up The Band

© 2000 - Shaun Dale