Downtown Music Gallery
Newsletter march 2006

GUUS JANSSEN- Hollywood O.K. Pieces
Geestgronden 08; Netherlands

Featuring Guus on piano and all compositions, Peter van Bergen on clarinet, Vincent Chancey on french horn, Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon, Ernst Glerum on bass and Wim Janssen on drums.

Great hear two of downtown's players sitting in with this marvelous Dutch sextet. Vincent Chancey has been around for more than two decades, once playing with Sun Ra Arkestra and the Carla Bley Band in the seventies.

I once met bassoonist supreme Michael Rabinowitz over at Thomas Chapin's apartment and only know of a few recordings with him, Dave Douglas' old Mosaic Sextet and a couple as a leader.

Guus himself has some six CDs in print and has long worked with members of the ICP Orchestra, like Ernst Glerum. Peter van Bergen is another great Dutch player with a few CDs as a leader as well.

Angelicanzone swings furiously with burning solos from the clarinet, French horn, Guus' feisty two handed piano and Ernst's bass. Wim Janssen plays some swell brushes on "Slow-Step", a delightful, playful piece with moves into fine freer terrain in the mid-section, which contains a superb bassoon and piano duo.

Havank features some more spacious, rather modern classical-like writing with eerie clarinet, blustery bassoon and inside-the-piano sprinkles and swirls, most carefully arranged.

Konitzology does have that cool school, lovely, laid back vibe, with some fine clarinet and French horn.

Passage is an austere, lovely piece with some glowing French horn and bassoon elegantly soloing. Guus' sublime composing is featured on a few of these pieces, gentle, tasty and exquisitely performed by this fine sextet.

I dig the way Tricot moves between a few shifting sections, intricate and classical-like one moment with sections of solos woven well in between.

April also sounds playful and free when it begins, has composed sections sown into the tapestry. Quite a delight.