Bob Mintzer Big Band Bundle [DSD Bundle]

Bob Minzter is a famed Jazz star who is a Jazz Sax player, composer, arranger, and big band leader. In the Bob Minzter Big Band Box, NativeDSD brings our listeners two excellent, Live to 4 Channel DSD recordings.

Homage to Count Basie is a Grammy Award Winning album that The Bob Mintzer Big Band delivers brilliant interpretations of classic Count Basie tunes delivered by the best musicians in New York (maybe the world). All compositions on Homage To Count Basie are arranged by Mintzer. All the solos were performed live with the band and in most cases using the first take, no “overdubs”, “punch-ins” or “fixes”. This is real music in real-time.

With Gently, Bob Mintzer lays down a new attitude for his big band comprised of New York’s finest musicians. It is a big band project that will turn some heads with a sound and approach that is virtually nonexistent today in the Jazz world. Gently addresses the quieter side of big band music. Granted to find the words “quiet” and “big band” in the same sentence is unheard of. But the softer, more textured “cool burn” concept in this music proves otherwise. Clarinets and flutes have replaced saxophones on several of the tunes, while the brass make use of mutes on most of the songs.

Bob Mintzer says “Gently is exactly what the title suggests: a gentle approach to the big band instrumentation, using clarinets and flutes in place of saxophones, muted brass, the addition of French Horns on two numbers, and writing for the band in a range and style which projects a soothing, warm sound.

This is not to say that there isn’t intensity in the music. What I’ve discovered is that when music is played softly it sounds more intense and projects with a greater clarity and energy. The band actually sounds louder when it plays softer.

Couple this softer approach with Tom Jung’s cutting edge DSD recording prowess, and you have a recording that envelops the listener in such a way that it feels like you are sitting in the middle of the band and wanting to do so. Every time I listen to this recording, I marvel at how it soothes rather than irritates.

The other major determining factor in the sound of Gently is the high level of teamwork and musicianship in the band These guys know how to be on the team, and blend with an amazing amount of sensitivity and insight. It is easy to play loud, yet much more difficult to play softly with the cognizance of where your notes go in the greater picture.”

NativeDSD Bundles are a mini collection of DSD albums created by the NativeDSD team that brings the works of a special artist, music label or musical genre to your personal library. Better yet, when you buy both albums in a bundle, NativeDSD gives you a special 25% Off discounted price on the full bundle. Expanding your musical horizons and collection while saving money at the same time. Each bundle is a DSD music opportunity and adventure we urge you to explore.