JERSEY JAZZ

March of 2021 Issue

by Joseph Lang

For a change of pace, give a listen to Jukebox (Henri Elkan Music), an album of 20 selections that is a blend of jazz and pop standards with some classical pieces arranged for the Dorian Wind Quartet by WAYNE ALPERN.  The players are Gretchen Pusch on flute, Gerard Reuter on oboe, Benjamin Fingland on clarinet, Karl Kramer-Johansen on horn and Adrian Morejon on bassoon.  Alpern has done a marvelous job of fusing elements of jazz and classical chamber music into a program that pays fitting homage to both sides of the musical coin.  You find “All the Things You Are,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Ornithology,” “Penny Lane” and “Send in the Clowns” mixed with music from “Bartok Chorale,” “Borodin on Broadway,” “Handel Allegro” and “Nutcracker Suite.”  It all works well together presenting an interesting and relaxing program suitable for serious listening or appealing background music.  (www.waynealpern.com)