Clairvoyance - featuring Bob Brookmeyer and George Garzone by The Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra

The composer crafted the entire album around her two guests, who provide a slew of tasteful solos.

The opening tune features an impressive performance by Garzone, who continues his assault on tenor and soprano on his own “Hey Open Up,” “Just Blow” and the finale, “The Chooch,” a wild and humorous piece containing the only vocals (also provided by the saxophonist). Bob Brookmeyer shows his stuff on Inserto’s “Shadow Dancing With a Hint of Gold” and “Early Sunday Morning,” and then shares the spotlight with Garzone on “Lazy Saturday Afternoon” and the title cut.

I have to be perfectly honest and state that it took me a couple of listens to truly appreciate the fresh new sound that differentiates this album. I suspect that we will be hearing more from Inserto in the future, and rightly so. Ayn Inserto’s sophisticated charts and clever arrangements on Clairvoyance serve to harness that energy to create a unique big band sound without the heavy orchestration." - Edward Blanco, allaboutjazz.com

"Ayn Inserto is one the most gifted young composers I have had the pleasure of teaching in many years. She has a "universal" musical language that translates successfully to public and musician alike, but also has a very robust and aggressive side. Her music is crafted beautifully, reminding me -- of course-- of my most famous student, Maria Schneider. There it stops -- Ayn has her own voice her own way and, indeed, is now influencing my newer students at the New England Conservatory. I have chosen to be her mentor because she is a rare bird -- they do not happen very often so I hope and to help her along what promises to be a shining path and a bright future." - Bob Brookmeyer

Ayn Inserto is a groundbreaking composer who is emerging as one of the preeminent voices of her generation. She received her Masters of Music degree in Jazz Composition from the New England Conservatory in May 2001. She is a winner of the 2003 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers' Award and has received various honors which include the Concord Pavilion Associates Marian McPartland Award, the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival Most Outstanding small jazz ensemble, and the 1999 Best Original Composition award at the Billy Higgins Jazz Festival. She currently studies jazz composition with Bob Brookmeyer as his protege. Her music has been performed at the Berklee Performance Center, 1999 IAJE Convention, California State University of Hayward Jazz Festivals, Reno Jazz Festival, Billy Higgins Jazz Festival, New England Conservatory of Music, Montreux Jazz Festival and the Umbria Jazz Festival.

Ayn has been commissioned by Foxboro High School, Harvard Jazz Band, Marin Catholic High School and Fairfield High School, and recently by George Garzone to arrange his music featuring him as a soloist with jazz orchestra. She currently resides in Boston and teaches at Indian Hill Music Center, South Shore Conservatory and is an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music.

Clairvoyance is Ayn's first recording as a leader. This album features her re-arrangements of three Garzone compositions as well as her own originals. The pieces feature the incredible musicality of the ensemble as well as the amazing solos of Garzone and Brookmeyer. There is a wide contrast in moods from piece to piece, and this album promises an interesting ride.

Personnel

Ayn Inserto, director/composer/arranger

Bob Brookmeyer, guest trombone soloist

George Garzone, guest saxophone/vocal soloist

Jeremy Udden, soprano and alto sax, flute; Rick Stone, alto sax, flute, clarinet; Bill Jones, tenor sax, clarinet; Kelly Roberge, tenor sax, clarinet; Hans Spencer, bari sax, clarinet; Jeff Claassen, lead trumpet;

Josh Economy, trumpet; Peter Kenagy, trumpet; Matt Small, trumpet; Jeff Galindo, trombone; Christian Pincock, trombone; Garo Saraydarian, trombone; Chris Gagne, trombone; Mike Gamble, guitar; Kyle Aho, piano;

Jeremy Allen, bass; Richie Barshay, drums

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