Best Laid Plans – Schapiro 17

Critically Acclaimed Jon Schapiro and his Schapiro 17 Deliver Again! Throughout these nine compositions, Schapiro creates a rich diversity of background material that supports the soloists, and that background material is remarkable, too, often bursting into the foreground in surprising ways. 

GENRE: Jazz/Large Jazz Ensemble
COMPOSERS: Jon Schapiro, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Scott Joplin, John Coltrane

In Jon’s music, foreground and background materials frequently interact in complex and surprising ways, and the improvised solos … well, you’ll need to listen!

You’ll be surprised, perhaps, by the unity of all the pieces on this CD. Each is a piece of a larger whole. Jon creates a sound-world all his own. In other words, he’s creating ART.

Schapiro composed three of the nine pieces and created marvelous arrangements of music by other composers for the other six. Like Duke Ellington’s and Gil Evans’ music, Jon Schapiro’s music is sui generis. Their bands each sound the pure ‘voice’ of a musician who both has composed and arranged music to produce a very singular and easily recognized “sound”. And, all three wrote or are writing music that remains within yet pushes boundaries. All three also allow soloists the freedom to express themselves.

Jon’s musical scores often tap freely into earlier traditions — some of them bumping shoulders in a single arrangement. Some of his arrangements are tight and some are quite open and free. Also, Jon gives his improvising soloists sufficient time to work out and extend their ideas.

Two-thirds of the superb musicians on this recording have been with Schapiro since he got started back in 2012, played their first gigs in 2014, and appear on both New Shoes: Kind of Blue at 60 (Summit 756) and Human Qualities (Summit 775). Six more are on their first recording with the band: stellar players who have come through when needed.

Trumpet: Bryan Davis, Andy Gravish, Eddie Allen, Noyes Bartholomew
Trombone: Alex Jeun, Deborah Weisz, Andrea Neumann, Brandon Moodie (tracks 1, 2, 9), Walter Harris (tracks 3-8)
Reeds: Ken Robinson, Nathan Bellott, Paul Carlon, Rob Middleton, Matt Hong
Piano: Simona Premazzi
Guitar: Sebastian Noelle
Bass: Bob Sabin
Drums: Jon Wikan

REVIEW:

The third release of composer Jon Schapiro’s large ensemble features a variety of original compositions and cover tracks, including music by Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, and Sonny Rollins (RIP). If you only listen to one track, check out Schapiro’s arrangement of “Solace,” a composition for solo piano by Scott Joplin from 1909. This tune was reintroduced to the American public as part of the film score for The Sting (1973), starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. On Best Laid Plans Schapiro reinvigorates the song yet again, paying homage to the iconic composition while reworking it through inventive tutti passages scored for the entire ensemble, as well as solo features for tenor saxophonist Rob Middleton, trombonist Alex Jeun, and trumpeter Bryan Davis (all with beautifully scored accompaniments). Schapiro shows keen awareness of the multi-part formal structure that was so key to ragtime composition, while expanding on it with a range of musical styles and harmonic languages that have unfolded since Joplin first penned the song.

-Rhythm of Study

REVIEW:

…The originals stand comfortably alongside these celebrated compositions. The title track unfolds through multiple moods and tempo shifts, balancing lyrical soprano saxophone passages with colorful ensemble writing and dynamic momentum. “The Uncluttered Mind,” which closes the album, delivers an exhilarating finale fueled by rambunctious horn figures, inspired soloing and infectious energy.

The longevity of Schapiro17 is evident throughout. Rather than sounding like a collection of musicians assembled for a single session, the ensemble performs with the cohesion, trust and shared vocabulary that come from years of collaboration. Schapiro’s arrangements capitalize on that chemistry, creating music that is simultaneously intricate and inviting, ambitious and accessible.

As the third chapter in Schapiro17’s recorded history, Best Laid Plans confirms the ensemble’s continued artistic growth. Schapiro honors the jazz tradition without becoming confined by it, presenting original compositions that stand confidently beside acknowledged classics. The result is a vibrant, inventive and thoroughly rewarding recording from a band that has spent more than a decade refining its voice.

-JW VIBE

REVIEW:

“…continues to solidify his reputation as a modern architect of the big band sound…”

-LemonWire

REVIEW:

… I believe the listening audience will find gratification in this music, along with the entertaining aspects of hearing beautiful big band music played with gusto.

-Dee Dee McNeil for Makin’ A Scene

REVIEW:

… comes high-stepping out of the gate!…“Best Laid Plans” is so much fun to listen to from beginning to end. Jon Schapiro’s writing is sharp, his arrangements complex but not cluttered, and there’s not a dull solo over the 77-minute program.  Schapiro 17 is a group whose music you need to discover and embrace!

-Richard Kamins for Substack