Michelle, you hit a couple dozen nails right on the head! I saw her 2 years ago, at George Mason Univ., Fairfax , VA, performing a selection of her works - NOT with her Orchestra, but an entirely amateur ensemble drawn from the rich resources of the DC area.
If I understood correctly, she arrived on-site, and began rehearsing the ensemble on a Monday. I have no way of knowing how they sounded that first day, but the performance I heard on Saturday night, was transcendent. She, and the ensemble were magnificent. Unforgettable.
“…emboldening her to reject the contemporary U.S. scene’s equation of seriousness with dark, brooding sounds.” Until “Data Lords.” She threw the black hat into the ring for that one. Appropriate for the emotional content of that music.
Thanks for this piece, Michelle. Maria is a GD American treasure. I heartily second your call for a Metheny /Schneider collab! What a magical sound that would be!
Wow Michelle! This goes straight to the heart. “deliberate musical storytelling and unfettered beauty” Yes, this is Maria. I have admired that generosity and personal authenticity in her music since our college days together at University of Miami. I can still see in my mind’s eye, the beautifully meticulous handwritten scores to her early big band compositions from those days. It’s gratifying to read a jazz critic who appreciates not just the genius of her craft, but the validity of the source. As somebody who is also a fan of the romantic, the heartfelt and the genuine, I’m right there with you. Music that is more than music! Ditto on the awesomeness of a potential pairing with Pat Metheny, whose music inspires me in much the same way.
I also got a lift from reading in your program note on the Denver concert the guitarist Mike Abbott was subbing for Ben Monder. When I first heard Mike play we were still in high school in Denver. I remember he was 15 and the best young jazz musician I had ever encountered up to that time. It turned out that he wound up at University of Miami at the same time as myself and Maria. So it was nice to read that connection was still intact. I assume he is still playing his ass off 45 years later. Thanks for writing.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I love hearing all this deep background on these musicians. Yes, Mike stepped in at the last minute for the Denver show and played beautifully.
Beautiful!! Your description of the composer, the band, and the music is as lyrical as the joy of being in the audience at the concert. One correction: pianist Frank Kimbrough passed way too young in late December 2020.
Love your reflections on this totally idiosyncratic bad ass. Saw her with the orchestra last year and good god, “Data Lords” just about gave me a heart attack. She’s a fucking brilliant shining light and a huge inspiration as an artist and person. Thanks for covering her and sharing your take!
Michelle, you hit a couple dozen nails right on the head! I saw her 2 years ago, at George Mason Univ., Fairfax , VA, performing a selection of her works - NOT with her Orchestra, but an entirely amateur ensemble drawn from the rich resources of the DC area.
If I understood correctly, she arrived on-site, and began rehearsing the ensemble on a Monday. I have no way of knowing how they sounded that first day, but the performance I heard on Saturday night, was transcendent. She, and the ensemble were magnificent. Unforgettable.
Thanks, Rob. Yes, Maria's ability to workshop an ensemble into transcendent performances so quickly is another facet of her brilliance.
“…emboldening her to reject the contemporary U.S. scene’s equation of seriousness with dark, brooding sounds.” Until “Data Lords.” She threw the black hat into the ring for that one. Appropriate for the emotional content of that music.
True that! Thanks for reading, Lazaro.
Thanks for this piece, Michelle. Maria is a GD American treasure. I heartily second your call for a Metheny /Schneider collab! What a magical sound that would be!
Thanks for reading, Kate. Yes, the more I think about this Metheny collab, the more necessary it feels!
Wow Michelle! This goes straight to the heart. “deliberate musical storytelling and unfettered beauty” Yes, this is Maria. I have admired that generosity and personal authenticity in her music since our college days together at University of Miami. I can still see in my mind’s eye, the beautifully meticulous handwritten scores to her early big band compositions from those days. It’s gratifying to read a jazz critic who appreciates not just the genius of her craft, but the validity of the source. As somebody who is also a fan of the romantic, the heartfelt and the genuine, I’m right there with you. Music that is more than music! Ditto on the awesomeness of a potential pairing with Pat Metheny, whose music inspires me in much the same way.
I also got a lift from reading in your program note on the Denver concert the guitarist Mike Abbott was subbing for Ben Monder. When I first heard Mike play we were still in high school in Denver. I remember he was 15 and the best young jazz musician I had ever encountered up to that time. It turned out that he wound up at University of Miami at the same time as myself and Maria. So it was nice to read that connection was still intact. I assume he is still playing his ass off 45 years later. Thanks for writing.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I love hearing all this deep background on these musicians. Yes, Mike stepped in at the last minute for the Denver show and played beautifully.
Great writing on one of our greatest musical artists. A collaboration with Metheny would be something special indeed!
Thanks, Chuck! Yes, the more I think about this Metheny collab, the more necessary it feels.
Beautiful!! Your description of the composer, the band, and the music is as lyrical as the joy of being in the audience at the concert. One correction: pianist Frank Kimbrough passed way too young in late December 2020.
Thanks! Whoops, a typo. I was lucky to know Frank a little.
Love your reflections on this totally idiosyncratic bad ass. Saw her with the orchestra last year and good god, “Data Lords” just about gave me a heart attack. She’s a fucking brilliant shining light and a huge inspiration as an artist and person. Thanks for covering her and sharing your take!
Thanks! I'm smitten with Maria Schneider on every level.