“Jazz has a habit of flying in the face of market logic. Its dogged
endurance alone testifies to that, despite an increasing output of crass
commercial offerings. It is however in the DNA of modern music and popular
culture. Acknowledged or not, it is here to stay in its various and evolving
forms.” – John Fenton JazzLocal32.com (from liner notes).
Under the artistic and musical direction of Rodger Fox, the Wellington Jazz
Orchestra is arguably the tightest, brightest, most musically literate exponent
of big band jazz this country has seen. Their debut recording, Journey Home
(featuring compositions and arrangements by ex-pat jazz-giant, Alan Broadbent),
won Best Jazz Album at the 2012 NZ Music Awards, but this second album raises
the bar even higher.
The Capitol Sessions marks Rodger’s 40 years of unwavering commitment to
big band jazz, and it’s only fitting that it should have been recorded in one
of the world’s great studios. As John Fenton so aptly put it in his liner
notes, Capitol Studios is an iconic studio, where the ghosts of Les Paul, Nat
Cole and Frank Sinatra hover over every note.
The track list features equally iconic tunes from the big band standard
repertoire alongside lesser-known gems and a couple of very fine New Zealand
compositions. Those who enjoy the punch and virtuosity of classic big band jazz
are sure to agree that
The Capitol Sessions is one of the fullest and most joyful expressions of the
genre.
“Yeah, it’s been great. [Rodger’s band] set it up well. They played real
tight, it felt good. I’ve always thought that big band and rock and roll
belong together in a certain way. Jimi Hendrix, especially with his drummer,
Mitch Mitchell, [had] a real jazz sensibility that works really well with this
kind of music. Jimi is kind of like Mingus.
The technical thing is important, but the energy has got to be there. [The band] had a [strong] concept of what [it had] to be, and of course I knew they would have. I have written previously for Rodger, when he was in Auckland, but his Wellington Jazz Orchestra is something else.” – Bill Cunliffe, composer and arranger of Jimi