Emergence
(Spartacus)
An end of term report on saxophonist Tommy Smith's dedication to nurturing young Scottish jazz talent through this orchestra would reflect on the progression of various members through to the award-winning Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and TSYJO producing all five Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year winners so far. Of perhaps greater interest to potential listeners, however, is the news that this second release, following 2007's Exploration, illustrates the startling maturity and genuinely high-grade creativity that Smith draws from his charges. These are front-rank arrangements of a diverse range of material, including Ellington standards, Steely Dan's roaring Black Friday, Astor Piazzolla's Michelangelo and the no doubt fun but no less demanding Flintstones theme, all played with professionalism and enthusiastic ensemble zing, and featuring superb individual contributions. Smith doesn't like singling out musicians, but Joe Wright's tenor saxophone feature on Smith's own Numbers really is worth the entry price alone.
