New Wine

by Scott Yanow The Quartet (which for the past five years had included clarinetist Bill Smith, electric bassist Chris Brubeck and drummer Randy Jones in addition to the pianist/leader) teamed up with the Montreal International Jazz Festival Orchestra for this live recording. Featured are six Brubeck compositions (including "Blue Rondo à la Turk" and "Koto Song") along with "Take the 'A' Train," all of which was in the Quartet's repertoire. In general the orchestra (which has some members of The Montreal Symphony) does not weigh down the proceedings and the music, although not all that "new," is enjoyable.