New Release:
SFJAZZ High School All-Stars 2018-19 Album
September 12, 2019 | by Erin Putnam
Artwork by Nicole DeVera
Each year, the High School All-Stars double album is a wonderful Polaroid of a group that will never compose, play, or record together again. Pull up their brand new release on Apple Music, Amazon , or Spotify , give it a shake, and allow the picture to form. That picture is not just of the carefully selected works comprising the track listing; it’s of the 16 year olds who met for the first time one year ago. The relationships they formed and the tunes they composed. The countries they visited together and the accolades they earned. It all takes shape in the works commissioned specially for the ensemble, the sonic inside jokes and interplay of solos, and even the vibrant album artwork, carefully crafted by SF designer and illustrator Nicole DeVera. We hope you love this year’s colorful sound archive of all that the All-Stars Big Band and Combo experienced and accomplished in the last year – and as always, read on for your cheat sheet of the fun picks and the stunners…
Disc 1 – Big Band
“San Francisco” (Track 1)
When Chucho Valdés was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at SFJAZZ’s 2019 gala, All-Stars alumnus Matt Wong was commissioned to create this arrangement of Valdés’s “San Francisco” for the All-Stars Big Band – a funky cha cha inspired by the Cuban jazz giant’s very first visit to the Bay in 1995. Wong, a piano player himself, crafted moments for pianist Hannah Mayer to shine as she performed alongside the Maestro himself that evening.
“The Monster and the Flower” (Track 3)
This gorgeous samba by Claudio Roditi (trumpeter for Paquito D’Rivera) was the lynchpin of the All-Stars’ musical preparations to travel to Brazil in February. The group rehearsed the tune throughout the winter, bringing it to São Paulo in the spring for the final touches: the push and pull that can only come from experiencing Brazilian drumming and dance firsthand.
“From Above” (Track 5)
This complex tune by composer Aaron Hedenstrom could be considered a miniature jazz symphony. Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes and braiding together moments of calm with driving bombast, delicate sax solis with dissonant free jazz, and the recurrent thread of Daiki Nakajima’s superlative tenor solo, this piece carried the Big Band to their third consecutive win at Monterey’s Next Generation Jazz Festival in April.
Disc 2 – Combo
“Stick Figures” (Track 1)
Composer Daiki Nakajima says of this track: “On this tune, I wanted to capture the energy of each individual and incorporate it into one epic piece – for example, Henry Plumb's fiery drumming and Ethan Pires's brilliant lead trumpet range.” The tenor saxophonist notes that it was one of the hardest pieces of the album to perfect; have a listen and we’re sure you’ll understand.
“Nardis” (Track 4)
The Combo puts their own spin on the SFJAZZ Collective’s version of this Miles tune, penned for Cannonball Adderley but made famous by Bill Evans. Arranged by Miguel Zenón for the Collective in 2016, this challenging piece was adapted by the 2018-19 Combo for their configuration.
“Ginkgo Biloba” (Track 6)
Blink and you’ll miss this short, sweet track that is nearly an interlude – the majority of the group takes a break while bassist Isaac Coyle stretches out with the tune’s composer, drummer Henry Plumb. Apropos of nothing, Plumb’s fun title pays tribute to All-Stars Big Band director Paul Contos and his memory supplement of choice.
You can also get this year’s album on CD at the SFJAZZ Center or at SFJAZZ.org. Your support of SFJAZZ education programs makes this album possible, ensuring opportunities for new and local music through jazz education!