Artist: Nigel Waddington

Date of Release: 01/01/2002

Catalogue no: CD 0016

Label: Chugnut

Price: £9.99

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Track Listing

After a Journey is the culmination of several years' work by Nigel, one of the most refreshing composer/arrangers to emerge recently. The listener travels through kick-ass swing and deep latin grooves to introspective ballads via some distinctly contemporary moments, all sensitively orchestrated for big band and extended jazz orchestra in Nigel's individual style. After a Journey will appeal to an inquisitive listener, whilst remaining easily accessible to the mainstream big band fan. The orchestra features some of the finest musicians on the British jazz scene. Soloists include: Martin Shaw, Mark Bassey, Nick Homes, Julian Jackson. Vocals on "With You I'm Born Again " by Teresa Revill. - Mike Diprose.

Nigel Waddington is an enthusiastic proponent of the through-composed jazz score. The versatility of standard big band instrumentation has fed his admiration for the work of Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeely, Billy Childs and the arrangers of the Stan Kenton dynasty. His Chugnut release "After a Journey" gathers five original pieces and three arrangements, demonstrating the broad range of styles available to writers for the expanded big band. He hopes everyone enjoys the trip.

Reviews

03/11/2006 Bob Hastings

An ambitious, cutting-edge writer with much to say, he merges the jazz, pop and and orchestral idioms with ease. I will look forward to more from this guy's pen.

01/01/2002 Frank Griffith, writer/arranger/ saxophonist

'The music here embodies the composer/arranger's clear understanding of the tradition and legacies of the big band, applying them to contemporary music from his own pen, as well as songs of three other songwriters who have made important contributions in popular music today. Nigel's versatility as a writer has enabled him to balance all of these idioms into a single musical product sounding like a forty minute composition, an unbroken journey if you like.The addition of strings and French horns on three tracks provides a distinctive edge and colour not often found in conventional big band recordings. Nigel's use of the strings is is resourceful but never too busy or "skinny" to use Johnny Mandel's phrase. Big bands are too often associated with nostalgia and yesterday's news. "After a Journey" is clearly tomorrow's news, while staying faithful to the best aspects and innovations of large ensemble jazz throughout the 20th century. Enjoy the trip - you may want to book another passage'.

01/01/2002 Dick Walter, Musician Magazine

"The influences are of the best, but I was especially reminded at times of Bob Brookmeyer and Kenny Wheeler. If you want to hear some good contemporary big-band writing then I suggest you get Nigel Waddington's After a Journey."

01/01/2002 Mike Chadwick/Cutting Edge/ Jazz FM

"A fabulous album...an absolute joy to play this CD on the radio"

01/01/2002 Jazz Journal

"imaginatively orchestrated...vibrantly performed by some of the best session players around. Waddington’s scoring exudes confidence and panache, reshaping tried and tested big band traditions in a more contemporary idiom".