Plays Ellington & Strayhorn (BlueLand Records)
Brian Landrus
Released July 12, 2024
DownBeat Five-Star Review
All About Jazz Best Albums of 2024
YouTube:
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About:
Landrus celebrates the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn by creating a virtual orchestra where he plays eight different instruments. He’s joined by legendary drummer Billy Hart, Dave Stryker and Jay Anderson.
Track Listing:
1. Agra (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 2:47
2. Chelsea Bridge (Billy Strayhorn) 2:41
3. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (Billy Strayhorn) 5:19
4. Daydream (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 4:22
5. Praise God (Duke Ellington) 3:29
6. Prelude To A Kiss (Duke Ellington) 4:00
7. Come Sunday (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 2:29
8. The Telecasters (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 2:04
9. Lotus Blossom (Billy Strayhorn) 2:33
10. Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn) 5:43
11. Isfahan (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 3:41
12. Star Crossed Lovers (Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington) 4:06
13. Warm Valley (Duke Ellington) 6:54
14. Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington) 2:04
Personnel:
Brian Landrus: baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute
Dave Stryker: acoustic and electric guitar
Jay Anderson: acoustic bass
Billy Hart: drums
Recorded August 6th and 7th, at Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY
Produced by Brian Landrus and John Kilgore
Recorded and Mixed by John Kilgore Sound
Mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf! Mastering
All Compositions by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
All Arrangements by Brian Landrus except: “Lush Life” arranged by Gregory Hopkins & “Warm Valley” arranged by Ayn Inserto
Review:
Following 2022’s forward-looking eco-warrior manifesto Red List: Music Dedicated To The Preservation Of Our Endangered Species, baritone saxophonist Brian Landrus casts a loving look backward in addressing the more serene side of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on this affecting ballad project. Accompanied by a seasoned crew (guitarist Dave Stryker, bassist Jay Anderson, drummer Billy Hart), the low woodwind maestro augments his upfront bari sound with a full complement of meticulously overdubbed horns (bass saxophone, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, bass flute) on reverent recreations of these timeless melodies, as well as lesser-known bits of exquisite Ellingtonia. With Hart manning mallets, they strike an exotic mood on “Agra,” a Harry Carney showcase from Far East Suite. The core quartet puts an alluring bossa nova spin on “Daydream.” A complement of contrapuntal flutes helps create a swirling, intoxicating mood on relaxed renditions of “Chelsea Bridge,” “Come Sunday,” “Star-Crossed Lovers,” “Warm Valley” and “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing.” In more pared-down settings, Stryker’s gentle acoustic guitar intro sets an intimate tone for his emotive duet with Landrus on “Lotus Blossom,” and the leader delivers a daring, unaccompanied bari rendition of “Sophisticated Lady” to close out the collection. Between the stellar playing, Landrus’ brilliant arrangements and the sheer genius of Ellington/Strayhorn, this one clearly rates five stars.
Bill Milkowski (DownBeat)
