MARCH 30, 2000 SPOTLIGHT SEA COAST ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

In 1949, Miles Davis collaborated with composer/arranger Gil Evans, creating one of the most important and Lasting recordings in jazz, “Birth of The Cool.” It was a recording that ushered in a different approach to jazz from the frenetic sound of bebop, an approach that was more relaxed, melodic and Lightly swinging. Know as “Cool Jazz,” this style would be further advanced by musicians like Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker.

Fifty years later, Arizona-based musician Greg Hopkins has put together a nonet that retains the spirit of the Davis/Evans ensemble, while also adds a more contemporary take on the music. The result is this superb CD, which uses three tunes from the Davis/Evans session and surrounds them with five terrific original compositions or arrangements that display the fine abilities of this new ensemble to full advantage.

Opening with “Boplicity,” from the Davis/Evans session, this nonet gets into a relaxed, swinging groove, led by Hopkins’ full-toned trumpet on the melody which then gives way to a melodic, tasteful solo by ban sax man Steven Von Wold.

Up next is the driving Hopkins original “Hidden Agenda,” with the composer’s imaginative trumpet solo being the focal point. Pianist Marohnic also contributes a superb solo here.

John Carisi’s “Israel,” also from the Davis/Evans session, gets an extended reading, with Sam Pilafian’s excellent tuba solo being one of the CD’s highlights.

Another highlight is the highly charged arrangement of McCoy Tyner’s “Mode To John,” featuring excellent and intense solos from Hopkins, Marohnic, Von Wold and alto saxist Scott Zimmer, while tenor sax player Byron Ruth gets off a superb solo on the Hopkins’ original “Bas Relief.”

My only complaint with this recording has nothing to do with the music or the musicians. It has to do with the final mix of the recording itself. The mix has a dull, almost hollow sound which, in my opinion, robs the charts and especially the solos of vitality and liveliness. A more focused mix would provide a more natural sound.

Still, this is a superb session by a group of musicians whose dedication to the music is evident from beginning to end. Give them a listen.

The Hopkins, Marohnic, Pilafian Jazz Nonet will be in residence at the University of New Hampshire music department Monday, April 3. The group will also perform at The Restaurant Casa Vecchia in Salem on Sunday afternoon, April 2, and at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, April 4.