Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eyal Vilner Big Band: Hanukkah

1

Eyal Vilner Big Band: Hanukkah

By

Sign in to view read count
Eyal Vilner Big Band: Hanukkah
Although a goodly number of seasonal big-band albums have passed through these portals over the years, this is the first one to our recollection devoted to Hanukkah, the eight-day-long festival of lights that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the time of a successful Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. As leader Eyal Vilner was born in Tel Aviv before relocating to the States and making New York his home, that is hardly surprising. Also unsurprising is the quality of musicianship on display, nor Vilner's impressive charts, which entwine contemporary jazz with traditional Jewish and Middle Eastern themes.

The album opens with the brief, chorale-based "Prelude," on which the band as a whole excels, followed by the animated "Maoz Tzur" whose buoyant perspective arises straight from the Swing Era. Vilner solos brightly on alto sax, as does pianist Jack Glottman. On "Sevivon" (The Dreidel Song), Vilner pivots southward, evoking the ambience of a Brazilian carnival to underscore an eloquent solo by flutist Itai Kriss, which leads to a section inspired by choro music and another dedicated to Batacuda music showcasing drummer Eran Fink. The impulsive "Oh Hanukkah!," whose ebullience can be traced to the Roaring Twenties, features a sprightly trio vocal by Tamara Korn, Martina DaSilva and Vanessa Perea (reminiscent of the Boswell Sisters or, later, the Andrews Sisters), preceding a vigorous solo by tenor Evan Arntzen. The shofar makes its appearance on the high-minded finale, "Mi Yemalel," whose Middle Eastern aspect recalls a great war from 200 BC. As in war, its measured preamble gives way to battlefield chaos, led by screaming trumpets and punctuated by emphatic rhythms.

As tributes go, Hanukkah is exemplary, and Vilner and the band should be applauded for that. Before the applause has ended, however, it must be noted—if only for the benefit of those to whom such things matter—that the album's playing time is roughly twenty-one minutes, or about one-quarter of a CD's maximum capacity. As if to rub salt in that wound, there is a "bonus" track, "These Candles," that is only available digitally. The album's twenty-one minutes are well- spent, and if that abbreviated playing time doesn't bother you, then by all means join the celebration.

Track Listing

Prelude; Maoz Tzur; Sevivon; Oh Hanukkah!; Mi Yemalel.

Personnel

Eyal Vilner
composer / conductor

Eyal Vilner: conductor, arranger, alto sax, clarinet, shofar; Bryan Davis: trumpet, shofar; Andy Gravish: trumpet; Wayne Tucker: trumpet; Jim Seeley: trumpet, shofar; Stuart Mack: trumpet; Itai Kriss: flute (3); Jay Rattman: alto sax, clarinet, flute; Bill Todd: alto sax, clarinet, flute; Evan Arntzen: tenor sax, clarinet; Dan Pearson: tenor sax, clarinet, flute; Eden Bareket: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Matt Musselman: trombone; Becca Patterson: trombone; Max Seigel: bass trombone; Jack Glottman: piano; George DeLancey: bass; Eran Fink: drums; Tamar Kern, Martina DaSilva, Vanessa Perea: vocal (4).

Album information

Title: Hanukkah | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.