February 23, 2011

Sacramento State Vocal Jazz Singers - Pale Blue Dot

Sacramento State's renowned, vibrant Collegiate Jazz program is directed by Kerry Marsh, whose presence is large on "Pale Blue Dot," Marsh's four-part suite for Jazz ensemble, and a tribute to Carl Sagan, astronomer, author and advocate of science and reason. The album features several different configurations of student Jazz vocalists from 2007 to 2008, accompanied by a large Jazz Rhythm Section on all cuts. The first seven tunes, all arranged by Marsh, are covers of standards like Duke Ellington's "In a Mellotone," Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower," Irving Caesar's "Tea for Two," and incongruously but beautifully, a soaring, bluenote arrangement of "Silent Night." The final cuts, the four parts of "Pale Blue Dot," are very strong, particularly Part III, "When the Night is New"- spacy, delicate, moody and powerful. 6059 CD 14.95
Listen to "But Beautiful

Posted by acapnews at February 23, 2011 1:09 AM