Composer Maria Schneider and her Orchestra have been a fixture on the New York Jazz scene for many years now but a memorable performance at the 2005 London Jazz Festival did much to raise her profile in the UK.

Schneider is a brilliant composer and arranger whose work is comparable to that of such acknowledged masters as Gil Evans and Mike Gibbs. “Sky Blue” has already received huge critical acclaim and listening to the album it’s easy to see why.

For the five lengthy pieces on the record Schneider has assembled a jazz orchestra of New York’s finest with a number of outstanding soloists featuring prominently. These include trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, accordionist Gary Versace and saxophonists Rich Perry, Donny McCaslin, Charles Pillow and Steve Wilson plus multi reedman Scott Robinson soloing on clarinet.

The real star though is Schneider herself for the power and beauty of her evocative writing and the rich, lustrous textures of her arrangements. She is very much a “painter in sound” and this quality is present throughout the album with the majority of the pieces coming about as the result of commissions.

The cinematic quality of Schneider’s work is encapsulated perfectly in the opening piece “The Pretty Road”. This vivid musical memoir of Schneider’s childhood hometown of Windom, Minnesota conjures up the huge skies and wide-open spaces of the Mid West. She evokes the same kind of moods and images as Pat Metheny on the occasions that the guitarist chooses to celebrate his Mid Western roots. The use of Luciana Souza’s wordless vocal is also reminiscent of Metheny’s approach.    Schneider’s comprehensive liner notes explain the inspiration behind the music and add greatly to the listener’s appreciation. Instrumentally the star is trumpeter Ingrid Jensen who makes judicious use of electronic effects in her atmospheric solo.

“Aires De Lando” finds Schneider exploring the complex rhythms and nuances of Peruvian “Lando” music. Cajon specialists Jon Wilkan and Gonzalo Grau give the music an authentic Latin feel and Scott Robinson’s clarinet swoops and soars over the intricate rhythmic backdrop. Perplexing but invigorating.

The abstract ballad “Rich’s Piece” does just what it says on the tin and is a feature for tenor saxophonist Rich Perry. His probing tenor emotes above the lush orchestral backing. As Schneider’s notes put it the orchestra “cloak him in a sonic robe”. The resulting music is both moving and magnificent. It is the only piece on the album that was not inspired by a commission.

At twenty minutes plus “Cerulean Skies” is by far the most ambitious item on the record. Inspired by Schneider’s hobby of bird watching in New York’s Central Park the theme of the piece is bird migration. The sound of birdsong is woven into the piece, either the genuine sound of the Cerulean Warbler or the voices of the musicians doing a “Percy Edwards”.

Donny McCaslin’s soaring tenor portrays the northern flight of the migratory birds. This is followed by Gary Versace’s fluttering accordion solo framed only by Frank Kimborough’s glacial piano, Jay Anderson’s bass and Ben Monder’s atmospheric guitar effects. This represents Schneider’s evocation of a single bird within the vast flock.

Souza’s voice and Charles Pillow’s soar away alto express Schneider’s joy at seeing the annual miracle of these birds in the heart of New York City each year.

“Cerulean Skies” is lengthy but never difficult and is tremendously uplifting. The skill of Schneider’s arrangements ensures that the piece never succumbs to the potential pitfalls of corniness or schmaltz.

The title track, a tribute to a dead friend, is elegiac, almost hymnal, but ultimately a celebration of life. Steve Wilson’s pure toned soprano takes the instrumental honours and embodies the spirit of the piece.

“Sky Blue” is an excellent album and well worth your while. The skill and attention to detail in Schneider’s compositions and arrangements ensures that even the lengthiest pieces never drag and always hold the listener’s attention. The soloists are used judiciously and are never allowed to outstay their welcome but there is some outstanding playing here from each of the featured musicians.

The album is released on the Internet based ArtistShare label and was financed by Schneider’s ArtistShare fan base. It is only available through http://www.mariaschneider.com

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