Review: Toledo Jazz Orchestra's new director shines in German ensemble collab

Jun. 1—A Conversation

Tim Hagans and the NDR Bigband. Waiting Moon Records.

The complexity and creativity of composer Tim Hagans can be heard in this disc, which is being released on Friday.

Hagans is the Toledo Jazz Orchestra's new artistic director, and — if this release is any indication — he could very well be taking it in a new direction, or at least be giving Toledo-based jazz aficionados a taste beyond traditional standards.

The music on this album is at times robust, and has a swing with Latin jazz influences. Hagans, a Dayton native, is a trumpeter who spent two years at Bowling Green State University before leaving school to tour with the great Stan Kenton Orchestra, and Kenton was a big fan of Latin jazz.

Hagans, a three-time Grammy nominee, ultimately became a world traveler. For years, he lived in and performed in Sweden and played across Europe and other parts of the globe. Now based in New York, he still does many overseas projects as well as in the Big Apple.

This disc is packaged as a five-movement concerto, not a collection of songs per se.

The NDR Bigband, also known as the Hamburg Radio Jazz Orchestra, is an 18-member ensemble which strives to perform unconventional music. Five of its members are saxophonists; it also has four trumpeters and four trombonists.

Although the sound is structured and tight-knit, it has a bit of an eccentric flair to it, too.

Hagans also has written several breakaways for great improvisation into it, something he told The Blade he wants to do for TJO in coming years.

One improvised solo by pianist Vladyslav Sendecki is particularly noteworthy, as are solos by Hagans, trombonists Stefan Lottermann and Klaus Heidenreich, trumpeters Stephen Meinberg and Claus Stötter, and saxophonist Peter Bolte.

A Conversation is Hagans' 17th recording as a leader, and his fourth recorded collaboration with the NDR Bigband.

His credits include 15 years as artistic director and composer-in-residence for Sweden's Norrbotten Big Band, six recordings as a leader for the Blue Note jazz label, and collaborations with the likes of Dexter Gordon and Joe Lovano.

See Sunday's Blade for an interview with Hagans and his upcoming role at TJO's new artistic director.