Kenny Wheeler Legacy

For Canadian Jazz trumpeter/flugelhornist Kenny Wheeler’s position is analogous to Norman Bethune’s: more famous abroad than at home, Toronto-born Wheeler (1930-2014), who moved to the UK in 1952 was equally proficient playing commercial studio gigs; big band jazz with Johnny Dankworth and others; and free music with the likes of Anthony Braxton. He also composed intricate scores, most of which were played only once for BBC radio concerts in the 1970s.

Not really “lost” 11 of these scores are performed by 34 musicians drawn from Miami’s Frost School of Music and London’s Royal Academy of Music. Reconstitutions of these impressionistic, quietly swinging tunes are expanded when the ensembles(s) add veteran soloists who earlier collaborated with Wheeler.

The title suite for instance uses brass blasts to surround Norma Winstone’s wordless vocals both shredded and soulful, with Evan Parker’s circular breathed emphasis following contemporary electric piano jangling. Parker’s pressurized tenor saxophone is inventively matched with growls and flutters from trombonist Sam Keedy on “C.P.E.P.”, as drum beats push the large ensemble forward; while flugelhornist Brian Lynch’s measured pitches face off with a three-saxophone choir blend on “D.G.S.”.

Not every track is given over to the professionals however. Maria Quintanilla’s bel canto vocal coloration on a couple of tracks, bassist Nikolas Lukassen steadying swing throughout and ther gentle duet of flugelhornist Etienne Charles and tenor saxophonist Emma Rawicz on “Some Doors Are Better Open” confirm younger players’ skills and the continued appeal of Wheeler’s music.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Smatta 2. Some Days Are Better Suite 3. Dallab 4. Sweet Yakity Waltz 5. D.G.S. 6. Song for Someone 7. C.P.E.P. 8. Who’s Standing In My Corner 9. Introduction To No Particular Song 10. Some Doors Are Better Open 11. Everybody Knows It

Personnel: John Daversa, Ingrid Jensen (trumpet); Etienne Charles, James Copus, Brian Lynch, Nick Smart (flugelhorn); Evan Parker (soprano, tenor saxophones): Chris Potter (tenor saxophone): Shelly Berg (piano); Norma Winstone (voice); Daversa, Smart (conductor) + Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra, Frost Jazz Orchestra w. Brinley Heywood-Snell, Michael Dudley, Gabriel Taylor, James Copus, Daversa, (trumpet); Joe Evans, Sam Keedy, Izzi Guzman, Ismael Aasgard (trombone); Kevin Bryson (bass trombone); Harry Maund (tuba); Eric Law, Donovan Haffner (alto saxophone); Emma Rawicz (tenor, soprano saxophone); Noah Chiari (baritone saxophone); Scottie Thompson, Josh Beck (piano, Fender Rhodes); Niklas Lukassen (bass); Ananda Brandão, Jacob Smith (drums); Immy Churchill, Maria Quintanilla (voice)

–for The Whole Note June, July, August 2025