Willis, Dan
Daywood Drive, 2012, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 19.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Pop+Jazz
Performance: 3
Sound: 4
Score:
O’s Notes: Dan Willis plays a wide assortment of reed-based instruments for his second take on French composer Erik Satie’s works. Willis handles orchestration and arrangements for this ensemble that includes violin, ehru, vibes, percussion, accordion, B3 and typical rhythm section instruments. Pete McCann plays guitar and adds a distinct fusion element when he takes the lead. The melodies span from bouncy-festive on “Gnossienne #6” to a passionate plea on “Gnossienne #7” to a more classical orientation courtesy of the strings, gongs and such. Our favorite was the blues-based “Gnossienne #2” in this collage of music that is actually very listenable.
Publicist: Daywood Drive