In the world of big band jazz, two new albums are making waves this spring, offering distinct yet exhilarating experiences for listeners. Composer, arranger, and trombonist Callum Au has released a double CD titled Sing Seven Seas, a near-manifesto for the big band format. The album deploys a multitude of styles and features 80 top-class players, including Mark Nightingale, Ryan Quigley, Lawrence Cottle, and Emma Rawicz. The result is joyous and fun, showcasing the full potential of a large ensemble.
Callum Au's Sing Seven Seas
The album is divided into two volumes. Volume One gathers music written by Au in his own distinctive style. One standout track is Si Vis Pacem Para Carnyx, which translates roughly to “if you want peace, prepare a carnyx.” The carnyx is an iron age war trumpet, resurrected here by Au and fellow trombonist Andy Wood. The piece conjures the soundtrack to a lost Ridley Scott Celtic epic, full of drama and historical resonance.
Another highlight is Galt's Motor, a track full of slick gear changes. It moves from Maria Schneider-like washes of color to punchy cinematic brass, culminating in a searing guitar solo from Jake Wilson. The gentler Tethys brings to mind Kenny Wheeler, thanks to a lovely flugelhorn-led melody. Meanwhile, jazz.ai, with its snarky narration about artificial intelligence's capacity to disrupt even jazz, adds a touch of humor and contemporary relevance.
Volume Two is Au's more straightforward homage to the big band era, evoking the sounds of Ellington, Basie, and others. While it may be a blast from the jazz past, strong contemporary underpinnings—especially in the solos—ensure that even modern ears will be exhilarated. The trumpet and sax sections are smoother than silk, searing their unison way through the changes and swinging like it's the 1940s all over again. A favorite track on this disc is Changeling, which begins with a moody, Chinatown-like noir feel before shifting mood and texture, featuring fine trombone work by the leader.
Fans can experience Sing Seven Seas live at Kings Place on May 30. Tickets are available at the Kings Place website.
Olivia Murphy's Fateful Birds and Fledgling Stories
The second album is a very different big band proposition. Fateful Birds and Fledgling Stories is the debut album from composer and bandleader Olivia Murphy. It reveals its intentions subtly, starting out like a theme from a folk-horror film before an accretion of instruments reveals the full flavor of the 18-piece orchestra. While there are echoes of Gil Evans and Maria Schneider, the album also recalls a more British tradition—Dave Holland's Big Band, Kenny Wheeler's Music for Large & Small Ensembles, and even, in its use of voices (Becca Wilkins and Rebecka Edlund), the late Keith Tippett's larger-scale works.
Murphy's mix of tightly scored and improvised music is bold and ambitious. Her distinctive conducting style is a highlight of her live performances. The Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra will perform at Pizza Express Soho on May 18. Tickets are available at the Pizza Express live website.
Both albums demonstrate the enduring vitality of big band jazz, blending tradition with innovation. Whether you prefer Au's celebratory homage or Murphy's subtle, folk-inflected compositions, there is something to savor for every jazz enthusiast.
