December 28, 1 9 9 5 - January 4, 1 9 9 6

**** Mike Mainieri

AN AMERICAN DIARY

(NYC)

Vibraphonist/impresario Mainieri has gathered an all-star quartet (Joe Lovano, Eddie Gomez, Peter Erskine) to interpret melodies (and arrangements based on themes) of American "classical" composers. The concept of full-blown tenor matched with spacy, reverbed vibes is fascinating in itself, and so is the repertoire, opening with Leonard Bernstein's languid "Somewhere," followed by Frank Zappa's loping "King Kong," and themes from piano sonatas by Aaron Copland (feverish, tense) and Roger Sessions (slithery, limpid, for Lovano's clarinet). Great sonorous hymns from William Grant Still (black blues) and Samuel Barber (white hopes) draw poetic breaths, especially from Gomez and Lovano.

The quartet also tackle a traditional folk tune and contribute their own compositions: Mainieri's based on folk dance (dry marimba) and Appalachian hymnody (bowed bass), Erskine's a snappy march, and Lovano's a jabbing bouncer. To close in wild style, the four improvise on inspirations from John Cage and Charles Ives.

-- Fred Bouchard