11th March 2014: “A very impressive debut album.” The press rolls in for JC Sanford’s forthcoming release + PRE ORDER Physical copies now available!!

We’ve just received a great review from Jazz Inside New York Magazine on JC Sanford’s forthcoming May release which we reprint below. 

To celebrate, we’re now offering pre-orders of the Physical CD. Head over to the album page and grab one now and we’ll ship these out the week before the release (May 13th). 

JC Sanford Orchestra – review from Jazz Inside New York Magazine (March 2014 edition)

VIEWS FROM THE INSIDE – Whirlwind Recordings WR 4652 – whirlwindrecordings.com. An Attempt At Serenity; Your World Alone; 2nd & 7th (Brooklyn Vignette #5); Brownieland (Brooklyn Vignette #1); Pre- Systems; Robins In Snow; Views From The Inside; Inter-Systems; Sunset Park, Sunset Park (Brooklyn Vignette #2); Sky Good; Systems Two (Brooklyn Vignette #6); Verrazano Bikeride (Brooklyn Vignette #3)

PERSONNEL: JC Sanford, composer, conductor, trombone; Taylor Haskins, Matt Holman, trumpet, flugelhorn; Mark Patterson, trombone; Jeff Nelson, bass trombone, tuba; Chris Korner, French horn; Dan Willis, oboe, piccolo, flute, soprano; Ben Kono, English horn, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute, alto; Chris Bacas, clarinet, soprano, tenor; Kenny Berger, contra-alto clarinet, bassoon, alto flute; Meg Okura, violin, electronics; Will Martina, cello, electronics; Jacob Garchik, accordion; Tom Beckham, vibraphone; Aidan O’Donnell, bass; Satoshi Takeishi, percussion

By Scott Yanow

Simplifying matters a bit, big bands in jazz can be divided into three different categories. There are the swing bands that often cater to dancers and nostalgia. There are the hard-swinging bop-oriented bands that play to sit-down audiences but often inspire their fans to tap their feet. And then there are the concert jazz bands. Stan Kenton was a pioneer in that field, featuring a big band where the imaginations of arrangers could largely run free. These jazz orchestras perform music that is open not only to the influences of modern jazz and the avant-garde but also to modern classical music. A good example is Maria Schneider’s orchestra or any large ensemble that utilizes the arrangements of Bob Brookmeyer.

The JC Sanford Orchestra falls into the third category. Sanford is equally skilled as an arranger-composer and a trombonist. As a player he has worked with Danilo Perez, George Schuller and Matt Wilson, and his unusual trio Triocracy which is comprised of just his trombone and two saxophonists (Andy Laster and Chris Bacas). As a writer Sanford has contributed music that is performed by Dave Liebman, Lew Soloff, John Abercrombie and a variety of big bands. He founded the Schumacher/Sanford Sound Assembly and conducts for the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the Joel Harrison 19, the Alan Ferber Nonet with Strings, and the Alice Coltrane Orchestra. In addition, Sanford has worked with the Andrew Green Sextet, Meg Okura’s Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, the Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra, and Sound Assembly.

Views From The Inside is JC Sanford’s debut CD as a leader. His orchestra has rather unusual instrumentation including seven brass (counting his own trombone), four reed players who perform all types of woodwinds, violin, cello, accordion, vibes, bass and percussion. Sanford utilizes the ensembles as a separate instrument by itself which often interacts with and challenges the soloists. His 12 pieces on Views From The Inside evolve as they go, never settling into repeated chord changes or conventional swing. Sanford’s music is often dramatic and cinematic, usually explores several different moods in each piece. Although a complete play-by-play would be difficult, here are a few highlights of the CD. “An Attempt At Serenity” lives up to its title for one can feel the lead voice (which becomes trumpeter Matt Holman) struggling to relax despite the difficulties of life. The dissonant long tones from the ensemble and the guttural playing of Kenny Berger on contra-alto clarinet make it hard at times although a certain peace of mind finally wins out. Three brief numbers (“Pre-Systems,” “Inter-Systems” and “Systems Two”) feature trumpeter Taylor Haskins and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi, often as a duo. “Your Word Alone” is an unpredictable mini-suite that at one point has Dan Willis’ powerful soprano flying over the raging ensemble. “2nd & 7th” is a showcase for Mark Patterson’s trombone while “Brownieland” has some unusual sounds from Jacob Garchik’s accordion. “Sunset Park,” which is taken in 5/4 time, is playful on its surface but actually quite moody and dark, Sanford gets a chance to be in the spotlight on trombone during “Robins In Snow” and “Verrazano Bikeride.”

Most impressive is the 15-minute “Views From The Inside.” Written originally for the Take Dance Company, it musically portrays several different person’s reactions, feeling and perceptions towards the same event. It ranges from introspective to a bit violent (particularly when Ben Kono is heard on bass clarinet), becomes quite busy and involved, and is both episodic and fascinating.

All in all, a very impressive debut by JC Sanford.

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