Days Of Wine And Roses

by Paula EdelsteinMaria Schneider won the Grammy award in 2004 for her Concert in the Garden recording and has chosen to follow that accomplishment with the reissue of her long-awaited, hard-to-find recording released in 2001 titled Days of Wine and Roses. The CD was recording "live" at the Jazz Standard in New York City in 2000, and was originally packaged with a bottle of Riesling wine which bore Schneider's name. This CD-only reissue boasts the raw essence of the orchestra's "live" performance and is comprised of original compositions and five jazz standards including Henry Mancini's"Days of Wine and Roses." The song features great solos by Tim Ries on soprano sax and Rich Perry on tenor sax. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a great vehicle for altoist Charles Pillow, while "That Old Black Magic" leaves you spellbound as a result of Rick Margitza's enchanting tenor saxophone solo. All of Schneider's arrangements are brilliant and provide excellent blowing vehicles for every section of the orchestra. Most notable are the excellent brass and reed solos on "Bird Count," a song named in honor of Charlie Parker and Count Basie. The set swings, sways, and seduces. Highly recommended