Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » BvR Flamenco Big Band: Luz de Luna

4

BvR Flamenco Big Band: Luz de Luna

By

Sign in to view read count
BvR Flamenco Big Band: Luz de Luna
Luz de Luna is the second album by the BvR Flamenco Big Band, which is based in the Netherlands, and not, as might be assumed, in Spain. The band's Spanish roots are strong, however, as leader Bernard van Rossum (hence the name BvR) was born and raised in that country and has lived in the Netherlands for less than a decade (after studying at the University of North Texas in Denton). He was also raised on flamenco, whose colorful rhythms and harmonies he has transplanted to the jazz idiom to frame a musical hybrid that is as spontaneous as it is spirited.

Besides leading the band and playing soprano saxophone, van Rossum serves as composer / arranger, having written everything on this album save the fleeting finale, "Catedral para un Ateo," a composition by guest Edsart Udo de Haes whose guitar is unaccompanied on that number. Van Rossum makes good use of other visitors as well, with Antonio Serrano's harmonica enlivening the buoyant "Luz de Luna" and Ben van Gelder's alto saxophone embellishing the rhythmic "Tras la Tormenta." As for van Rossum, his burnished soprano underscores the charming ballad "Y Tu ni Siquiera lo Sabes," which also brings to the fore the expressive voice of David de Jacoba.

Van Rossum's seventeen-piece ensemble boasts several admirable soloists of its own, notably pianist Xavi Torres, trumpeter Bruno Calvo and tenor Joao Driessen ("El Gladiator Cobarde"), alto Jasper van Damme ("La Gaviota"), Torres and trumpeter Gidon Nunes Vaz ("Lejos de Casa"). Maria Marin's animated flamenco vocals quicken "Luz de Luna" and "Lejos de Casa." As on the band's previous album, Jaleo Holandes, van Rossum's firm grasp of flamenco and jazz creates a balanced enterprise in which neither side holds all the cards but plays what is dealt in a manner that is conducive to the well-being and success of everyone in the game. The band's dexterity and esprit de corps were rewarded in 2014 when it earned first prize at the eighteenth annual Meerjam International Band Competition.

In sum, Luz de Luna is an opulent banquet, setting forth the best features of flamenco and jazz on one appetizing menu. If there's a downside it lies in the album's LP-like forty-minute playing time; on the other hand, not many of those minutes are wasted.

Track Listing

La Gaviota; Luz de Luna; El Gladiador Cobarde; Y Tu ni Siquiera lo Sabes; Lejos de Casa; Tras la Tormenta; Catedral Para un Ateo.

Personnel

Bernard van Rossum
saxophone, tenor

Bernard van Rossum: leader, composer, arranger, lyricist, soprano sax; Gerhard Ornig: trumpet; Bruno Calvo: trumpet; Gidon Nunes Vaz: trumpet; Evgeniy Bandarev: trumpet; Jasper van Damme: alto sax, flute; Miguel Ortega: alto sax, clarinet; Joao Driessen: tenor sax, clarinet; Fernando Sanchez: tenor sax; Bruno van der Haegen: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Jos van der Heuvel: trombone; Oliver Emitt: trombone; Matthias Konrad: trombone; Pablo Martinez: bass trombone; Xavi Torrres: piano; Marco Zenini: bass; Joan Terel: drums. Flamenco artists – Maria Marin: voice; Edsart Udo de Haes: flamenco guitar; Udo Demandt: percussion; Miguel Hiroshi: percussion. Special guests – Antonio Serrano: harmonica; David de Jacoba: voice; Ben van Gelder: alto sax; Carlos de Jacoba: guitar on “La Gaviota” vocal interlude.

Album information

Title: Luz de Luna | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


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

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

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