Jazz Philharmonic Swings Symphonically

Jazz, most frequently presented in groups of three, four or five, sometimes loses its soul when played by larger ensembles. Even the best big bands don’t always know what to do with their 16 or so pieces. And how do you make all those musicians swing as one?

But there was soul and inspiration in abundance when the 72-piece American Jazz Philharmonic, directed by Jack Elliott, presented a program of symphonic commissions Wednesday at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach. The sight and sound of an orchestra this size playing jazz made the performance a rare occasion. And the music, with but one exception, was expansive, embracing the motions of jazz while looking to classical and new music for style and substance.

Pianist Alan Broadbent’s “Conversation Piece” was first to answer the question of what to do with all those instruments. The composer (who was in the audience) made each section of the orchestra an equal player, letting lines ripple through the strings, woodwinds and brass. Congas suggested sambas, a marimba led the orchestra (augmented by members of the Cal State Long Beach Studio I Ensemble) in an understated march and strings called up romance.

More aggressively rhythmic, but equally well-orchestrated, was pianist Billy Childs’ “Concerto for Piano and Jazz Chamber Orchestra.” With Childs at the piano pounding a resolute, Morse-code drone, the orchestra ran lightly behind a simple trumpet theme. Later, the pianist’s long swirling statements, framed by edgy strings, ranged from Debussy-like Impressionism to McCoy Tyner-inspired assertions.

Manny Albam’s “Concerto for Jazz Alto,” with guest soloist Bud Shank, cast the orchestra as accompanist, but still managed to generate interest behind Shank’s sweetly crafted lines. The orchestra’s most competent performance complemented Shank’s usually sweet lyricism. Trombonist Rob McConnell’s work, “Hello From the North,” the evening’s most predictable piece, was given an uninspired, at times awkward performance to begin the evening.

The concert was the inaugural event of the newly formed Henry Mancini Institute, a summer music program for gifted students, on the campus of Cal State Long Beach. The Philharmonic will be in residence at the institute’s summer session July 27-Aug. 23, with concerts to be announced.