Maria Schneider Big Band - Pretty Road (2008) 1of2

[Mikeyg161]

went to school with Ingrid at Berklee in the 80s. Couldn't play then.....and sorry to say.Well, you know. Very shocked that Schneider lets her play. Can She hear?

[Mikeyg161]

Who writes for this band?

[lawrencevelogirl]

Or, you can look at the past and see the Calloway to Ellington to Dorsey to Davis to Maria connections and how the medium is evolving, without making weird value judgments about a composer's worth based on his "era." Come on, dude, Ellington is the most prolific American composer. He's our Mozart, our Debussy, to put it in simple terms. Impressionist extended harmony begat the modern big band, and it's lovely.

[ErictheJazzer]

Like many 'big name' band leaders in the USA Ellington and Basie kept on going until long after their 'use-by date'. In particular, I had the impression that most of Ellington's bandsmen had been playing for so long that they had died but were too tired to lie down. They looked and played like they were bored stiff. In the end Ellington's 'sound' became hackneyed and out of date.

[MrWalnut4]

Now just imagine the flugal horn and trumpet solo on soprano sax :)

[shawoody]

yuk.

[vinnievibes]

beautiful solo

[fusionjunkie]

this was recorded on my birthday

[Mtbli1995]

why must you argue, and why must you compare. Can you not just accept the beauty of this music, and accept the beauty of Ellingtons?

[ErictheJazzer]

Sorry to disappoint you Ellington fans but I've been a jazz fan (and bass player) for approx. 50 yrs. jazzmasta92's assertion that "apparently you never listened to Ellington's later works" is both inaccurate and presumptuous. Jazz is continually evolving. Some of us move with the times. Others remain rooted in the past. Can't sit and listen only to Ellington, Basie and 'Bird' recordings to the exclusion of more modern talents like Maria. Open your ears to new things. Get a life.

[brotherjd]

i think she is brilliant after hearing the (sky blue) project wow! i've choosen her as the best jazz album this year.

[maiajazz]

Ave Maria!

[LibertangoVieenrose]

amazing performance, just amazing....

[ryan9312]

my high schools jazz band plays this! awesome song

[ErictheJazzer]

Can there be a finer more romantic, more lyrical composer, arranger and big band leader alive today ? Not even the brilliant Kenny Wheeler can surpass Maria Schneider. She has taken up octogenarian Kenny's mantle now. More of Maria Schneider uploads, please. I for one am tired of the eternal hackneyed praise that is heaped upon unworthies like Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Their music sounds so tired and dated when compared to Maria's modern arrangements.

[theboywholosthismind]

@ErictheJazzer How dare you use the name of Ellington in vain.

[WaltersQuincy]

@ErictheJazzer I agree with theboywholosthismind- your comment is ignorant.

[jazzmasta92]

@ErictheJazzer apparently you never listened to Ellington's later works. But all of it is beautiful. He practically created big band arranging/orchestration, thats like saying Bird is hackneyed compared to Kenny Garrett.

[bag12]

@ErictheJazzer Maybe because it was played over half a century ago. Please don't think that just because you know words that you can wield them stupidly. Think before you write, please.

[PINCHUNO]

@ErictheJazzer How on earth can you say "unworthies" when you speak of BAsie and Ellington? If you ask Maria Schneider about the evolution of he big band I can safely say that she will only have great things to say about these 2 luminaries of the big band world. It all has to come from somewhere you know.

[bigafromusclekid]

@ErictheJazzer The fact that you called Basie and Ellington "unworthies" is ridiculous. There is a good reason that Ellington and Basie have always and will always receive "eternal praise", it is because they were visionaries in the music. The fact that you're comparing this to something like "One O'Clock Jump" is crazy due to the 70 or so years that separates the two composers. I think you're missing the point as to why Ellington and Basie obtained so much praise and attention.

[yourbrassinstructor]

@bigafromusclekid You are right on the money! There is a reason musicians play Back and Vivaldo and Maynard and Miles over and over. Just because something is "new" and from a connected big band leader in New York City doesn't make it genius or a classic!!! 'nuff said!

[gabri3l367]

Bella Orchestra e bei arrangiamenti ma leggermente stonati certi strumenti in alcuni punti . Grande Maria !!!!!

[geoffpeterstrio]

this is one of my favorite songs!! brilliant composition and performance.

[albertrombone]

I love Ingrid.

[jimmuscomp]

Hey Frank - I am a professor at CSU Bakersfield and we just hosted Ingrid in a concert with our big band - thanks for your contribution to Maria's recordings.

Just wonderful stuff!

[fg3trumpet]

This song is just so Maria -- It sounds really good and makes you glad to be alive.

I want credit for just being able to be a trumpet sub on this concert .... The Trumpets on this video are Greg Gisbert, Jon Owens, Ingrid (soloing), Frank David Greene

-- This is Frank writing this btw.....

[flootloops]

wonderful. I wish she would write something for harp, I would be all over it.

[Chuckmeister92]

There is a God. Or at least something. Absolutely beautiful.