Ben Markley - Basic Economy - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

... an upbeat take on the Big Band , full of adept arrangements and intricate soloing... Markley fleshes the sound out, giving it a propulsive grandeur... - All About Jazz. Whether through his recordings with players like Terell Stafford, Greg Osby or Joel Frahm, or his Big Band recording honoring the music of Cedar Walton, pianist/composer/arranger Ben Markley always provides a where his guests can shine. Long appreciating the idiosyncratic rhythmic mastery of drummer Ari Hoenig, along with the equally personal melodic sense of his compositions, Markley was inspired to take on the daunting task of arranging a set of Hoenig's music for Big Band. With roots in the traditional big band world, the music dives deeply into other modes of modern expression, which the Denver-based ensemble brought their A-game for. A session that demanded a high level musicianship and abundant sense of creative adventure, the results provide an aural ride that can best be described as InchAri's Funhouse.Inch Album Tracks 1. Birdless 2. Lyric 3. Lines of Oppression 4. Bert's Playground 5. For Tracy 6. Arrows and Loops 7. Green Spleen

Winner of the 2007 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award, Denver-based pianist Ben Markley unveils his new quintet featuring the talents of modern-trumpet genius Greg Gisbert. Well-rooted in the tradition of Bud Powell, Phineas Newborn Jr.., and Oscar Peterson, Markley's playing and compositions explore the history while always looking forward. The album's one standard, InchBut Beautiful,Inch gets a delicate treatment by Markley, while the opening track, Inch5-20,Inch displays his compositional strengths and piano prowess. InchBen Markley convincingly demonstrates his potential to impact the jazz scene for years to come.Inch - Jazz Improv NY. Album Tracks 1. 5-20 2. Dry 3. One for Cedar 4. The 9th One's Free 5. But Beautiful - Ben Markley, Vanheusen, Jimmy 6. As It Comes 7. And the Wind Came 8. Two to Go

Pianist Ben Markley, along with special guest trumpeter Terell Stafford, celebrates one of the more influential and beloved figures in jazz through this unique project, showcasing many of the late pianist and composer Cedar Walton's most revered tunes through new arrangements for big band. Performing iconic compositions such as InchHindsight,Inch InchBolivia,Inch and InchHoly Land,Inch Markley brings together fellow faculty members from the University of Wyoming and top-flight Denver-area musicians to produce an honest and swinging recording that honors Cedar Walton while presenting his music in a bright new light. InchBen has found a way to embrace the music of Cedar Walton and transform it into stellar big band arrangements that express his voice, sound and musical genius.Inch - TERELL STAFFORDInch... to hear a big band's interpretation of Cedar's music has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life!... I know Cedar is beaming at the results!!Inch - MARTHA WALTON Album Tracks 1. Cedar's Blues 2. Clockwise 3. Fiesta Espanola 4. Hindsight 5. I'll Let You Know 6. I'm Not So Sure 7. Holy Land 8. Bolivia 9. Martha's Prize 10. Black