What is Big Neighborhood?

Blending modern jazz with 20th century classical music, 70s rock, calypso, New Orleans, reggae, drum ‘n bass and other diverse styles, Big Neighborhood is like few other bands working in jazz today.

You wouldn’t call this music “fusion” for it bears little resemblance to the late 70s and 80s jazz-rock. Nor is this music typical of the  fashionable “genre blending” jazz. The source material here is more subtle,  and more eclectic. The starting point is modern, post-bop jazz, but unusual and diverse elements are, collage-like, carefully added.

For example, little of this music is in 4/4, but one can find oneself regularly tapping foot to the energetic swing. Few tunes follow the standard head-solo-head arrangements so common to the mainstream, but energetic and edgy improvisation is a centerpiece, with different sections of composition providing a rich foundation for the soloists. Although a quartet, the music often features contrapuntal voices, with occasional use of guitar synthesizer in the palette. And although made up of well-known and established musicians, this is a working collective that truly plays together to make intricate arrangements sound easy.

The result? A thoroughly original, critically acclaimed and Grammy award-round nominated 21st century music that is engaging but unusual, that defies easy classification but still connects and leads the listener into new territory. And in so doing reminds us how much remains uncharted within our own familiar musical backyards.

It is a big neighborhood.

Big Neighborhood on MySpace