GEORGE HANDY

HOME > ARTISTS H > GEORGE HANDY > PENSIVE [Item 60354]

AND HIS ORCHESTRA

PENSIVE

Description:
George Handy 1920 1997 who became known as one of the most adventurous arrangers in progressive jazz between 1944 and 1948, before disappearing from the scene, returned to the music field in the summer of 1954. Handy's most remarkable early works were mainly big band arrangements that he did mostly for the Boyd Raeburn and Alvino Rey orchestras. However, in this new stage of his career, he focused more on his work as a leader of his own small band, recording two 12" albums. This is the second and, by far, the rarest one, reissued now for the first time since its 1955 release. The band here plays a whole library of Handy originals, which he introduces as tone poems. The intricately woven orchestrations reflect many classical influences in the arranged passages, and some moments suggest Bartók and Stravinsky. But improvisation is never discarded, and there are three frequently featured soloists Sherman, Rehak or Byers, and Schildkraut whose warm contributions prevent the whole enterprise from losing contact with jazz. Despite the tempo changes and a great deal of complexity in the writing, the music often swings. The violin is ingeniously used, usually playing a theme while one or two other lines are juxtaposed against it contrapuntally.

Songs:

Personnel

Details:

Heavy Hands

Pulse

Tender Touch

Foolish Little Boy

The Sleepwalker

A Wooden Sail In A Wooden Wind

Maretet

Pensive

Of Gossamer Sheen

Stream Of Consciousness

The Flatterer

Knobby Knees

Personnel: Dick Sherman, Frank Rehak, Billy Byers, Danny Bank, Buddy Jones, Osie Johnson

Label:	FRESH SOUND
Number:	438
Item Code:	60354
Format:	CD
Genre:
Dates:	(1955)
Price:	$17.00
	View More GEORGE HANDY...
	Search All Music
	Add to My Wishlist Edit My Wishlist Wishlist Search / Registration

Home -- New Releases -- Sales & Features