What the heck is the Coltrane Ballads project?

Toronto will be host to a unique show when Daniel Jamieson presents his Coltrane Ballads project this Monday, September 30 at the Al Green Theatre. I asked Daniel to tell me more about the project.

JG - Tell me about the Coltrane Ballads project - what does it look like, and how did it come about?

DJ - I came up with the idea for the Coltrane Ballads project in the spring of 2012. I had just returned from the Metropole Orchestra's Arrangers Workshop where I had the chance to work with Vince Mendoza and Kurt Elling. It was one of the best weeks of my life. I came back incredibly inspired and eager to continue writing for Orchestra. So I tried to think of an interesting project that would allow me this creative outlet. That is when I realized John Coltrane's Ballads album was going to be in its 50th year. I spent a lot of time listening to the CD and decided to design a 50th anniversary concert. I then contacted Victor Cheng, who has led his own classical orchestra, the Sneak Peek Orchestra, for a few years. I proposed that we combine my big band (the Danjam Orchestra) with his Sneak Peek Orchestra. Victor was thrilled with the idea and we both agreed that saxophonist Mike Ruby would be a fantastic soloist. When the Metropole found out about the project, they asked if I would conduct a performance of the new Ballads arrangements with Joe Lovano as the soloist. So I spent the better part of last year arranging the 8 iconic tunes from the record for this hybrid orchestra. The Metropole performance took place last May in Amsterdam. The house was packed and the orchestra was at its best! I was very proud of the work we did that week. Working with Joe Lovano and John Riley (drums) was a treat. Some incredible memories!

JG - Tell me a bit about the Metropole Orkest - what makes them unique?

DJ - The Metropole is the only orchestra of its kind in the world. It is a hybrid ensemble made up of traditional big band instrumentation plus strings, winds, percussion and harp. They are not a classical orchestra. The Metropole specializes in jazz, pop, and film music. This band can swing and groove like no other. There is simply no other orchestra that can compare!

JG - As you mention above, your experience with the Metropole goes beyond being a fan - you've had the opportunity to work with them and their conductor Vince Mendoza. Tell us about your interactions with the Metropole.

DJ - I am fortunate to have been asked to write for them frequently and I have just been booked to conduct them at the Edison Jazz & World Music Awards this November. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.

JG - How did you approach the Coltrane Ballads project - what separates it from other tributes?

DJ - My goal was to create a fresh take on the music. There are certainly elements from the original CD that creep their way in to the music; I like to think that the spirit of the original CD inspired my arrangements. A particular challenge is that the concert features a lot of ballads in a row! An obvious statement, perhaps, given the material…but it is an important factor to keep in mind when programming a concert. As I said to the audience in Amsterdam: I think it helps to think of it as 1 piece with 8 movements - the pieces were designed to work together to create an overall musical message.

JG - The project has been performed once before; what will be special about this Monday's performance?

DJ - It was amazing performing the music in Amsterdam but it will really mean something to me to perform it here in Toronto - my home - in the presence of friends, family and peers. I have known Mike Ruby since we were kids - he is a good friend and is tremendously talented; John Riley will be joining us from New York to play drums. John is likely best known for his work with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; I think he's simply the best in the world. Arlia de Ruiter will be joining us on violin from Amsterdam - she is the concert master of the Metropole and she will be our concert master for the evening; all of our string players are very excited to work with her. And Victor Cheng is graciously letting me take the conductor's chair while he covers the piano part. It is sure to be a night to remember! We are hoping a combined concert becomes a yearly tradition.

JG - To get a taste of the big band/orchestra hybrid, let's go back to the Metropole. If you had to pick one Metropole performance to recommend, which would it be?

DJ - Here is one of my favourite recordings of the Metropole - performing Vince Mendoza's composition "Otono":

The Coltrane Ballads project takes place this Monday, September 30, 8 pm at the Al Green Theatre (750 Spadina Avenue, in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre). Tickets and information are available at danjam.ca.

Josh