Matt Lavelle’s compositional focus is on wide-ranging improvising from not only master jazz players like Ras Moshe and Charlie Waters, but pioneering players on traditionally classical instruments including Claire de Brunner on bassoon and Gil Selinger on cello. These seemingly disparate worlds live together in harmolodic comfort and explosive musicality that is also simultaneously big band and improvising chamber orchestra.

Lavelle’s familiarity with his band allows each instrumentalist’s radiance to shine through via his writing and conduction. What’s most important, though, is this band/orchestra/constellation swings and grooves whether they’re taking you to Alpha Centuri or New Orleans.

Solidarity

Brooklyn Mountain

Knee Braces

Cherry Swing

Moonflower interlude

Faith

MATT LAVELLE – cornet, flugelhorn, alto clarinet, conduction
LEE ODOM – soprano saxophone and clarinet

CHARLES WATERS – alto saxophone and clarinet

RAS MOSHE BURNETTE – tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, bells

TIM STOCKER – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet

MARY CHERNEY – flute, piccolo

CLAIRE de BRUNNER – bassoon

LAURA ORTMAN – violin

GIL SELINGER – cello

ANDERS NILSSON – guitar

JACK DeSALVO – banjo, mandola

CHRIS FORBES – piano

JOHN PIETARO – vibraphone, percussion
FRANÇOIS GRILLOT – double-bass

RYAN SAWYER – drums

ANAÏS MAVIEL – voice

UNSEEN RAIN Records

SOLIDARITY – MATT LAVELLE’S 12 HOUSES (UR9945)