Return Trajectory [CD]

Since Michael Dease's big band held their two-year monthly residency in Greenwich Village back in 2011, a lot has happened. That laboratory, where risk, refinement, and reflection forged the band's artistic identity, was the seed that needed to be returned to. Today's band, however, is not a reconstruction of that past, but a reimagining, channeling fresh vitality into the music while honoring the architectural rigor and improvisational daring that defined those earlier years. At the core is a dynamic ensemble of rising voices from Michigan State University, whose artistry and individuality bring urgency to this collection of music, featuring compositions by Dease, Gregg Hill and the classics, "Cherokee" and "Little Dave," from Dease's major influence, J.J. Johnson. "Return Trajectory" is not a direct return, but a continuation of the arc, guided by experience and propelled by the next generation. "Few artists possess Dease's breadth of capabilities rounded, resonant voicings create a distinctive sonic depth. Nothing feels ornamental or routine. The scope of preparatory work is unmistakable, and the outcome is remarkable." - PARIS MOVE