Jazz Pops/PopSwings
JMI Records, 2023
8/10
An outfit spearheaded by the trombonist Luis Bonilla, the JM Jazz World Orchestra flesh out both originals and covers across this big band effort.
The percussively strong “Shining Star” opens the listen with bright brass and cozy guitars that spend 9+ minutes mesmerizing us, and it isn’t long until Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” finds a soulful place to reside thanks to the many voices and playful grooves of the melodic climate.
Further along, the intimate delivery of “So Wrong” (Patsy Cline) is a highly expressive and dreamy moment, while George Michael’s “Fast Love” is full of gorgeous singing and well timed horns that make for a jazzy demeanor of the pop classic.
“Truimph” and Carole King’s “Tapestry” exit the listen, where the former is drum focused and populated by vibraphone acrobatics, and the latter uses elegant piano and poetic singing for the stunning finish.
The orchestra’s inception goes back to 2012 and its current version has members aging from 18-26, where 17 nations are represented. Under Bonilla’s inimitable guidance the tracks here embrace worldly, folk, soul and swingin’ ideas that you can’t not admire.
Travels well with: Ben Miller Trio- Feathers Of Ma’at; Joel Goodman- An Exquisite Moment