Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra is an 18 piece, genre-bending jazz orchestra that has successfully fused the pop music world with the stylistic and improvisatory concepts of modern jazz. Arranged and conducted by alto saxophonist Travis Sullivan, The Bjorkestra performs the music of visionary pop artist Bjork, spanning her entire catalogue as a solo artist, truly creating a big band sound for the 21st Century.
This album is more than just a collection of covers of Bjork songs. Different from CDs like the "String Quartet Tributes to" artists like Bjork and Radiohead, this album really stands alone as a funky, brassy, bold, and beautiful big band jazz album. It combines very modern sounds (electric guitar, drums, electric/computerized percussion, etc.) with old-fashioned jazz elements (a killer horn section, great piano solos [particularly on "Cocoon"], the great vocals by Becca Stevens) -- a quality of Bjork's work that I have always admired, the combination of the modern and the antique. Becca Steven's great interpretation of the songs vocals will be a refreshing treat for those who cannot get into Bjork's music because of her divisive singing voice and style, and Becca is a great singer in her own right. I highly recommend this album to jazz fans, Bjork fans, and fans of interesting and engaging music of any kind. The only thing you will regret is not getting to hear some of your OTHER favorite Bjork songs that didn't make the cut. |
ARTISTS
Bjrokestra: Travis Sullivan (alto sax, clrinet); Alex Fortuit (percussion); Arun Luthra (alto and soprano sax, flute, clarinet); Sean Nowell (tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Steve Welsh (tenor sax, clarinet); Dan Pratt (tenor sax, clarinet); Lauren Sevian (baritone sax, flute); Ryan Keberle (trombone); Alan Ferber (trombone); Andrew Gold (trombone); Kevin Schmidt (bass trombone); Kevin Bryan (trumpet); Colin Brigstocke (trumpet); Alicia Rau (trumpet); Art Hirahara (piano); Ben Monder (guitar); Yoshi Waki (bass); Joe Abbatantuono, Brian Fischler (drums) |