The Squid's Ear Magazine


Thornton, Giles Jazz Orchestra: Be In Today (FMR)

A large band project from UK composer, arranger and conductor Giles Thornton, directing 29 musicians through original works and reinterpretations of ballads like Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You", in a blend of acoustic and electronic musicians that avoids overt fusion overtones while keeping the music melodic with the occasional exotica flair.
 

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Personnel:



Giles Thornton-composer

Rachel Kerry-alto saxophone, soprano saxophone

Daniel McConkey-alto saxophone

Gustavo Clayton Marucci-bass clarinet

Adam Crighton-bass trombone, tuba

Dan Benn-cello

Livia Frankish-clarinet

Tommy Andrews-clarinet

Boz Martin-Jones-drums

Marcus Pritchard-electric bass, acoustic bass

James Maltby-electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Emma Kenrick-flute

Camille Curtis-flute, alto flute

Mike Walker-electric guitar

Tom Richards-soprano saxophone

Liane Carroll-voice

David Swan-piano, synth, electric organ

Neil Birse-piano, synth, electric organ

Sam Knight-tenor saxophone

Matt Grenz-tenor saxophone

Tom Dunnett-trombone

Ed Parr-trombone

Chris Saunders-trombone

Toby Brazier-trumpet, flugelhorn

Ewan Gilchrist-trumpet, flugelhorn

Magnus Pickering-trumpet, flugelhorn

Finn Bradley-trumpet, flugelhorn


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UPC: 748079797208

Label: FMR
Catalog ID: 485-0318
Squidco Product Code: 25861

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2018
Country: UK
Packaging: Digipack - 3 panel
Recorded at Fish Factory Studios in London, England, by Ben Lamdin.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

There are clear echoes of Vince Mendoza on Be In Today, but it incorporates a great variety of styles, from the Metheneyesque "Just Keep Running" to the Joni Mitchell ballad "A Case of You". If there's an overall approach, it's one of unabashed emotion. Thornton does not set out merely to be clever; his aim, in general, is to create beautiful, melodic music, and that isn't something one can always take for granted.

The first five tracks form part of a suite, while the last two are stand-alone. Thornton is well-served by his soloists: "Just Keep Running", with its long, fluent Sam Knight tenor outing, is punctuated by blasts of brass, which then subside, allowing Mike Walker's beautiful guitar solo time to build gradually. On "Ballad of the Unnoticed", Rachel Kerry's lovely soprano contribution is followed by one on flugelhorn by Finn Bradley.

Over the Edge is a more experimental piece, whose theme is mental disintegration, and as one might expect, that is reflected in the musical dissonances created by Matt Grenz on tenor sax and Gustavo Clayton Marucci on bass clarinet, over a funked-up rhythm section. There's another change of style with the pretty, out-of-time piano duo Reflections, in which David Swan and Neil Birse improvise freely on a lead sheet given to them by Thornton. Then it's back to the Metheny influence with the title track which, like the opener, features the wordless singing of Rosie Bullen.

And so, with the final two tracks, to the (minor) reservations. Romance is another sweet melody, this one in waltz time. However the vocal performances here and on A Case of You could have done with a little more polish.

Be In Today showcases the work of a young musician at the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a long and successful journey."-Peter Jones, London Jazz News


Get additional information at London Jazz News

Artist Biographies

"Giles Thornton is a Composer, Arranger and Orchestrator based in London. Through his studies at Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, he has performed in prestigious venues , such as The Royal Albert Hall, Sadler's Wells, LSO St Lukes, Milton Court Concert Hall and The Barbican Hall.

Giles has worked with many artists, such as Jules Buckley, Mike Walker, Liane Carroll and James McMillan, among others.

His most recent engagements include :

Guildhall Big Band with Mike Walker and Iain Dixon, as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.(Conductor, Milton Court Concert Hall, 2016)

Liane Carroll "The Right To Love" Album Launch.(Arranger/Librarian/Conductor, St Mary In The Castle, 2017)

Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orkest: "Mingus: Beneath The Underdog", BBC Proms (Copyist, Royal Albert Hall, 2017)"

-Giles Thornton Website (https://www.gilesthorntonmusic.com/)
3/27/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Just Keep Running 9:11

2. Ballad Of The Unnoticed 9:16

3. Over The Edge 5:25

4. Reflections 6:33

5. Be In Today 5:44

6. Romance 7:38

7. A Case Of You 8:00

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
London & UK Improv & Related Scenes
Large Ensembles
Melodic and Lyrical Jazz
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