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For the past 30 years, arranger-composer Maria Schneider has been leading and writing for one of the finest big bands in music.

Her highly original and picturesque compositions have always inspired her musicians during their interpretations of the complex arrangements.

The Maria Schneider Orchestra traditionally performed at New York’s Jazz Standard during the Thanksgiving season (every year since 2006) but was unable to in 2020 due to Covid restrictions; the club closed for good on Dec. 2, 2020.

This video, which was posted on Nov. 26, 2020, has performances by the orchestra from their July and Nov. 2019 appearances at the Jazz Standard plus video outtakes from recording sessions for their Data Lords project.

Among the selections performed are “Bluebird” (featuring Steve Wilson on tenor and Gary Versace on accordion), “CQ CQ Is Anybody There” (with Donny McCaslin on tenor during the recording session), “Stone Song” (Steve Wilson on soprano), “Sputnik” (featuring Scott Robinson on baritone), and “Look Up.”

After the music, members of the band via Zoom talk about music and life with each other, generating a few chuckles.

-Scott Yanow
 

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