CHRISTOPHER ZUAR ORCHESTRA

EXUBERANCE

Tonal Conversations

Christopher Zuar, bandleader/composer/arranger; Mike Holober, conductor; Rogerio Boccato, percussion; Mark Ferber, drums; Drew Gress, bass; Glenn Zaleski, piano/Fender Rhodes; Pete McCann, electric/nylon/steel string guitar/banjo/mandolin/dobro; WOODWINDS: Dave Pietro, alto & soprano saxophones/piccolo/flute/alto flute; Charles Pillow, alto, soprano & tenor saxophones/flute/alto flute/oboe/clarinet; Jason Rigby, tenor saxophone/flute/clarinet; Ben Kono, tenor & alto saxophone/flute/alto flute/clarinet; Carl Maraghi, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet. TRUMPETS/FLUGELHORNS: Tony Kadleck, Jon Owens, Scott Wendholt & Matt Holman. TROMBONES: Matt McDonald, Mark Patterson, Alan Ferber & Max Seigel on bass trombone. FEATURED MUSICIANS: Sara Caswell, violin; Max ZT, Hammered Dulcimer; Joe Brent, mandolin; Keita Ogawa, percussion & Emma Frank, vocals.

Christopher Zuar’s twenty-two-piece orchestra interprets the compositions of their bandleader with precision and pulse. The first tune, “In Winter Blooms” features an inspired solo by bassist, Drew Gress. It begins with the piano offering a one-tone, pulsating, solo note that draws the listener’s ear into the piece. The orchestrated horns enter and then Jason Rigby steps out front on tenor saxophone to richly solo and introduce Zuar’s very pretty melody.  “Moments In Between” is track two and opens with Matt Holman’s flugelhorn having a conversation with drummer Mark Ferber. Just the two instruments are featured before the entire orchestra joins them. This piece sounds quite classical and is only two-minutes long, almost like an interlude.

On “Communion,” pianist Glenn Zaleski sets the mood playing the treble clef and introducing the composition. Later, his awesome solo is impressive and spontaneous.  He shares the spotlight with Sara Caswell’s brilliance on violin.

“This album is a journey of personal growth. For me, this has been very much a process of becoming more open and learning how to let another person into my life.  Each piece is an in-depth exploration of my emotional landscape at the time it was written,” Christopher Zuar describes the premise of this artistic album that depicts his love affair and marriage.

His composition, “Before Dawn” opens with the sounds of a thunder storm in the distance. It features the power-driven drums of Mark Ferber and the guitar mastery of Pete McCann.  Charles Pillow makes an emotional statement on alto saxophone. The mood-changes in this piece remind me of a suite of music rather than a singular song.

Zuar and his significant other merged with her artistry pouring from paint brushes, as well as pen and pencil, to blend with his love of music. Theirs is a unique and special relationship. Christopher endeavors to explain this love affair, using his musical arrangements and song titles. Anne Beal (his wife) has painted the colorful cover of this cd and is creating animations for upcoming music videos. She also penned the lyrics for the title tune that is sung by Emma Frank’s folksy, soprano voice.

Christopher Zuar is the recipient of a 2020 Copland House Residency Award and a 2022 MacDowell Fellowship. In 2016 he released his debut album titled “Musings.” It received broad acclaim and I suspect this album will follow suit.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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