Pagan, Michael
Capri, 2005, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 11.4
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 3
Sound: 5
Score: 
O’s Notes: Pianist Michael Pagen wrote most of the music, arranged and conducted the large, brassy ensemble carrying his name. The characteristic feature of his arrangement is the amount of space allocated to the soloists. It gives them a chance to really shine, hence many bright moments across these eight tracks. This doesn’t discount the shear power of the masses that is carefully modulated to accentuate the spirit of each movement. There’s a mellow Latin flavor on “Lyric Interlude” featuring Greg Gisbert (flügelhorn) and the boogie-woogie of “Pag’s Groove”. A good set.
