Kenny Wheeler isn't a household name in many American jazz circles. The Canadian trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer was based in the U.K. starting in the 1950s. As a composer and arranger of jazz orchestral scores, he was among the most inventive, daring and gifted in the post-1960 era. [Photo above of Kenny Wheeler in 1988, courtesy of Ebay]
What makes Wheeler fascinating is his fluency in straight-ahead jazz, free jazz and rock. He studied composition with British composer and pianist Richard Rodney Bennett (1962-3) and with composer-arranger Bill Russo (1963-4). He was probably best known as a member of John Dankworth's orchestra from 1959 to 1965.
In the years that followed, Wheeler worked extensively with large jazz ensembles, beginning with his first leadership album, Windmill Tilter (1969). It was recorded with the John Dankworth band. He also played in the Anthony Braxton Quartet from 1971 to 1976 and was a member of the British jazz trio Azimuth from 1977 to 2000. Wheeler died in 2014 at age 84.
Now the Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra (directed by Nick Smart) and the Frost Jazz Orchestra (directed by John Daversa), at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, have released a spectacular new album, Kenny Wheeler Legacy: Some Days Are Better, The Lost Recordings (Greenleaf). The album celebrates Wheeler by dipping into his archives. Nine of the scores are originals and two were transcribed by Alan Hsiao.
Recorded in 2024 at Abbey Road Studios in London, Some Days Are Better features a staggering amount of talent, including Norma Winstone, an English jazz singer and lyricist who has a 50-plus year career and specializes in improvised vocal music. Also featured are terrific soloists, including Brian Lynch, Chris Potter and Evan Parker. The album comes with a 36-page booklet with thorough biographical liner notes by Nick Smart.
The music and performances here are on par or a step above the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band and Gil Evans's most dynamic works. The writing and daring are exceptional, and in the hands of these two orchestras and soloists, Wheeler is grandly celebrated.
The tracks:
- Smatta
- Some Days Are Better Suite
- Dallab
- Sweet Yakity Waltz
- D.G.S.
- Song for Someone
- C.P.E.P.
- Who's Standing in My Corner
- Introduction to No Particular Song
- Some Doors Are Better Open
- Everybody Knows It
If this is an example of the quality of scores in the Wheeler archive, I hope the architects of this album dive back in for a followup release. This is one of my favorite albums of the year. Just the right amounts of swing and edge.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Kenny Wheeler Legacy: Some Days Are Better, The Lost Recordings (Greenleaf) here.
If you love orchestral jazz, do yourself a favor: Treat yourself to the CD. The sound is terrific and the liner notes are a must-read. And a great gateway to Kenny Wheeler.
JazzWax tracks: Here's Smatta...
Here's Who's Standing in My Corner...
And here's D.G.S. ...
