WDR Big Band feat. Ernie Watts & Greg Gisbert: A Legend In Jazz: Charles Mingus

WDR Big Band
Michael Abene, arrangements, conductor
Ernie Watts, tenor saxophone
Greg Gisbert, trumpet
recorded live at Philharmonie Köln, December 4, 2010

1. Boogie Stop Shuffle
2. Peggy’s Blue Skylight
3. Self Portrait In Three Colours
4. Free Cell Block F
5. Orange Was The Colour Of Her Dress Then Blue Silk
6. Sue’s Changes
7. Slop
8. Pussy Cat Dues
9. Open Letter To Duke/Duke’s Choice

Michael Abene (pronounced uh-BAY-NAY) is an intuitive and unusually imaginative composer, arranger, keyboardist and producer whose work has resulted in scores of awards and accolades, including several Grammy nominations for arranging. His music also resulted in Grammy wins for The Duke Ellington Orchestra's Digital Duke, The GRP All-Star Big Band's All Blues and, most recently, Patti Austin's Avant Gershwin. Today - beyond his never ending freelance work - Mr. Abene is the Musical Director-Principal Arranger/Composer for the WDR Radio Big Band of Cologne, Germany - a position he's held since 2003. “Working with the WDR Big Band has been a collaborative effort with gifted musicians and supportive management,” Michael states. The group has recorded with stellar guest artists ranging from funk master Maceo Parker and saxophone virtuoso Joe Lovano to flamboyant fusion guitarist Hiram Bullock and vibraphone great Gary Burton. 

Leading the WDR Radio Big Band, Abene has a workshop at his fingertips and spends six months out of the year overseas rehearsing, recording and performing with it. “When I took the position,” he shares, “one of the complaints the band had was whenever they played behind a guest, they never got to solo. I don't believe in that! I make sure all the strongest soloists get to play...and I don't mean 8 bars. I came up in that time where Basie and Maynard really let a band open up. That way, everyone relaxes and takes the music wherever they want.” Asked what distinguishes his work, Abene isn't certain but says people tell him it's his voicings, tonal colors, the combinations of instruments, rhythmic nuances and unexpected surprises in the chart. “I'm not afraid to turn things inside out,” he adds. “I take chances. If it doesn't work... I just fix it!”