New American Symphonies (World Premiere Recordings) [Exclusive Early Release]

Available now only at NatievDSD!

Official Release Date, August 14th.

Recorded live with an all-star ensemble featuring musicians drawn from the worlds of jazz, classical music, Broadway, and studio recording, New American Symphonies reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence and sonic innovation… Complementing Harris’s rediscovered work is Scott Ninmer’s Night Suite, composed specifically for Pugh by his former student… Together, the two compositions create a sweeping portrait of American music spanning nearly a century, linking the symphonic ambitions of the 1930s to the creative voices of today. The result is an album that bridges generations, genres, and technologies, honoring America’s musical past and pointing toward its future.
– Taylor Perry, ShoreFire Media
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New American Symphonies brings together trombone player Jim Pugh with a band of Jazz All-Starts including Bill Charlap, Ted Nash and Jim Beard plus conductor Marin Alsop.

The two movements from Roy Harris date from the 1930s and are here receiving their first recording ever. The Trombone Symphony was the inspiration of Harris’ wife, who was not only a highly respected pianist but also a jazz fan. “Roy,” said madam, “You should really write a symphony for Tommy Dorsey,” the smooth-sounding trombonist band leader, then at the peak of his fame. The opening movement is so wildly virtuosic that the Dorsey band couldn’t play it on the one time they tried. So, Harris moved on to a more peaceful tempo for the second movement.

Scott Ninmer’s piece Night Suite is of much more recent vintage. He composed it for Jim Pugh in June of 2014 for a performance at the Eastman School. The work opens with Eventide, which moves from a relaxed swing to a suggestion of hip hop. Gliding Through Darkness calls upon woodwind doubles, supporting Jim’s easy improvisations. Too Late, the final movement gives us Jim’s commanding effortless high register mastery, while the ensemble builds a big climax.

Altogether, this is an admirable album featuring a master soloist accompanied by absolutely first-rate partners.

Jim Pugh – Trombone
Bill Charlap – Piano
Ted Nash – Saxophone
Jim Beard – Piano
Marin Alsop – Conductor