BIGGER PICTURES - THE ART OF NIGEL WADDINGTON

Music for Big Band, Orchestra and Soloists

1. Finnerty , You Got It

2 . Homes -I Fly

3 Waddington Is This A Rainbow

4 Waddington Talking to Thomas

5 Waddington Bigger Pictures

6 Waddington September

7 Waddington Jazz Chops, No Hang-Ups An ode to Steely Dan

8.Waddington Lantern on the Stern In Memoriam Malcolm Arnold

9 Metheny James

10 Burke and Van Heusen Like Someone in Love

11 Waddington Tristesse Lili Boulanger

12 Waddington For Dave

London-based arranger Nigel Waddington presents original works and arrangements, all featuring some top British jazz names such as Claire Martin, John Horler, Jaqui Hicks and many others. Using the resources of everything from a solo piano to full big band with added orchestral strings and winds, Nigel produces a fascinating array of sounds and tone-colours, in tracks ranging from impressionistic ballads to full-ahead funk.

Here's some captivating new big band/orchestral music, arranged and crafted - and mostly composed - by the exquisite and finely-honed pen 'n ear of Nigel Waddington. Where Has He Been? If in the woodshed as I surmise, then it's time he was out and about. With a line-up of luminaries from the British music scene - jazz and otherwise - the ensemble playing and soloing are expectedly exemplary. And as hoped for, there's that magical blend, natural and seemingly effortless, that comes with music and players being in compatible territory, and having a ball - the music playing itself. This is a kaleidoscopic collection of contemporary jazz - hard swing, earthy and soulful vocal and instrumental ballads, funky rhythms, excursions into the classical, that'll beguile, cajole and engage you. Several times, it caught me saying - "Hey! Come again? What was that?" Too late though, it’s moving on to more ear-catching goodies - you gotta keep up! Mike Gibbs

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