Kenny Werner & Brussels Jazz Orchestra - Institute of Higher Learning (22-08-2011)
Label: Halfnote | 320/Lossless | 69:28 min | 157/444 MB
Genre: Jazz

Artist: Kenny Werner & Brussels Jazz Orchestra
Title Of Album: Institute of Higher Learning
Year Of Release: 22-08-2011
Label: Halfnote
Genre: Jazz
Format: mp3/FLAC(log,cue,tracks,artwork)
Quality: 320/Lossless
Total Time: 69:28 min
Total Size: 157/444 MB

Tracklist:

1. Cantabile 1st 10:46
2. Cantabile 2nd 10:53
3. Cantabile 3rd 6:28
4. Second Love Song 7:46
5. House Of The Rising Sun 10:11
6. Compensation 13:00
7. Institute Of Higher Learning 10:24

Since coming out the other side of a deep personal tragedy, Kenny Werner has resumed his career with a vengeance. First there was No Beginning, No End (Half Note, 2010), which dealt with the tragic loss of his daughter, Katheryn , in a 2006 car accident, as the pianist and wife, Lorraine, found the way from anger and grief to acceptance and hope through spiritual guidance and music. The smaller-scoped but potent Balloons (Half Note, 2011) came a mere six months later, from a 2010 live performance with his regular touring band. Now, just another half-year on, Werner returns with Institute of Higher Learning, a vibrant big band session that teams the veteran pianist with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, for a set of four originals and one cover.

Like saxophonist Chris Potter's recent Transatlantic (Red Dot, 2011), this set suggests that the full extent of world class players simply can't be measured, as Werner democratically makes Institute of Higher Learning as much a feature for the Brussels Jazz Orchestra as it is the pianist's own writing and performing. Whether it's the balladic "Second Movement," with its lyrical spot for trumpeter Pierre Drevet, or the episodic title track, where the pianist is at his modal best, Institute of Higher Learning is a record that, combined with the other two discs Werner has released this past year, makes clear, in no uncertain terms, that Werner's back...and back, indeed, with a vengeance.

Personnel:

Kenny Werner: piano; Peter Hertmans: guitar; Jos Machtel: double bass; Martijn Vink: drums; Frank Vaganee: artistic director, lead alto and soprano saxphones; Dieter Limbourg: alto and soprano saxophones, clarinet, flute; Kurt Van Herck: tenor saxophone, flute; Bart Defoort: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Bo Van der Werf: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Serge Plume: lead trumpet, flugelhorn; Nico Schepers: trumpet, flugelhorn; Pierre Drevet: trumpet, flugelhorn; Joeroen Van Malderen: trumpet, flugelhorn; Marc Godfried: lead trombone; Lode Mertens: trombone; Ben Fleerakkers: trombone; Laurent Hendrick: bass trombone.