SMITH,TOMMY/BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHES - Modern Jacobite (Sealed) (CD)

Leading European jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Tommy Smith boldly breaks new ground with the BBC/SSO on Modern Jacobite, an exceptional recording featuring his new symphonic work 'Jacobite', alongside personal re-imaginings of Rachmaninoff and Chick Corea. Modern Jacobite represents a first foray into symphonic music for jazz saxophonist Tommy Smith, who has long interleaved orchestral discipline with creative jazz. 'Jacobite' is a piece of modern music that features saxophone and many other soloists in the orchestra, so it's quite unconventional", explains Smith. "It's certainly not a full blown concerto, especially when the first entrance of the saxophone appears after two and a half minutes of orchestral texture and solos from cello and flute. The saxophone acts as the main narrator throughout the piece, that speaks to all the thematic material." The outcome is a high watermark in the accomplished career of one of the Europe"s leading jazz musicians. It is also a welcome addition to the growing repertoire of modern musical works that blur distinctions, and break down barriers to musical understanding.