VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA - DEC
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra returns to the Village Vanguard for its regular Monday-night engagement. This is a big-band set from the orchestra that has made the room its long-running home, with no guest artists, tribute program, release celebration, or other special format announced for the evening. Expect the ensemble’s arrangements to balance full-orchestra writing with space for soloists, following its signature “small group within the big band” approach.
The orchestra began in New York in 1966 as the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, founded by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. It describes its early identity as “the fresh sound of Jones’ writing” and Lewis’ “incredible command of the ensemble,” calling it “an entirely new approach to the big band genre.” Bob Brookmeyer later served as musical director, while Jim McNeely has been composer in residence since 1995; Bob Mintzer and McNeely are among the writers who have added music to its book. The group has played on five continents, won eleven DownBeat “Best Big Band” awards, and released two Grammy-winning albums. Reviewers have heard “arrangements from its celebrated book,” “passion and panache,” and “riotous full band polyphony.”
A narrow basement staircase leads to a triangular room with a red curtain and a stage at the point, where musicians play for a small audience of 123. Tables open like spokes from the stage, and the walls hold portraits of jazz legends. The acoustics are excellent, and the only sound before the music begins is the hum of the room. No food is served, only drinks at a bar. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., with seating beginning at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The atmosphere is focused entirely on the music, with silence requested before the concert begins.