American Jazz Philharmonic

The American Jazz Philharmonic is a 60 piece jazz orchestra led by composer/conductor Jack Elliot. The pieces on this debut disc are original works commissioned from four composers: John Clayton, Manny Albam, Ray Brown and Claus Ogerman.
The American Jazz Philharmonic includes: Jack Elliott (conductor); Charlie Davis (trumpet); Lloyd Ulyate (trombone); Vince DeRosa (French horn); Tommy Johnson (tuba); Gene Burkert, Louise DiTullio (flute); Earl Dumler (oboe); Vince Trombetta, Ralph Williams (clarinet); Ron Janelli, John Lowe, Ray Reed, Bob Tricarico (bassoon); Murray Adler (violin); Katie Kirkpatrick (harp); Tom Garvin (piano); Trey Henry (bass); Sol Gubin (drums).
Additional personnel: Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Snooky Young (trumpet); Ray Brown (acoustic bass).
Recorded at Paramount Studios, Scoring Stage "M" and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood, California. Includes liner notes by Jack Elliott and A. James Liska.
Listeners hoping to hear an innovative mixture of jazz and classical music or some fresh approaches to making strings swing will be disappointed by this disc. Jack Elliott's overly large ensemble (which includes ten woodwinds, 13 brass, 24 strings, harp, piano, three basses, drums and three percussionists) performs John Clayton's "Open Me First" (which at best sounds like swinging movie music), Claus Ogerman's lush "Symphonic Dances," Manny Albam's "Nostalgico" (a feature for altoist Phil Woods) and Ray Brown's three-part "Afterthoughts" which showcases the composer's bass over some interesting melodies. In general the results are rather predictable and dull with the orchestra sounding quite anonymous. ~ Scott Yanow