I would like to start this review with a question: How many favorite Jazz Bassoon players do you know? Ok, that question may be too difficult. How about this one: "Have you ever heard a Bassoon player playing Jazz? My answers were "none" and "no" until I was sent a review copy of Daniel Smith's "Jazz Suite For Bassoon". It turns out I love the sound of a Bassoon at least when it's played by the world's most recorded Bassoon soloist. Even more surprising is that the Bassoon and its unusual warm sounds fits into the Jazz world quiet comfortably. Daniel Smith is simply an amazing musician who is at easy in all parts of the music world. This CD is a mix of Jazz and Classical that fits perfectly. The title of this CD is "Jazz Suite For Bassoon" but all of the performers are seriously, Classically trained musicians. This CD successful makes its way between Jazz and Classical smoothly and successfully.
The world-class musicians on this CD are:
On Baroque Adaptations of Bassoon and Jazz Trio:
Daniel Smith-Bassoon
Bruce Boardman-Piano
Terry David-Bass
Martin Drew-Drums
On Scott Joplin Rags:
Daniel Smith-Bassoon
Jonathan Still-Piano
Paul Manley-Violin
Kate Musker-Viola
Justin Pearson-Cello
Michael Brittain-Bass
On Jazz Suite For Bassoon:
Daniel Smith-Bassoon
Steve Gray-Piano
Mitch Dalton-Guitar
Jim Lawless-Vibraphone
Roy Babbington-Bass
Mike Smith-Drums
I found a couple of cuts from the CD on "YouTube" so you can experience Daniel Smith at his best. The first one is from Daniel's Scott Joplin Rags, "Chrysanthemum" and the second is from his Jazz Baroque Adaptations for Bassoon and Jazz Trio "Allegro from Concerto in B Flat" written by Antonio Vivaldi.
