The new “Live at One Longfellow Square” album from Portland Jazz Orchestra. Photo by Aimsel Ponti The Portland Jazz Orchestra, formed by Chris Oberholtzer 20 years ago, released the album “Live at One Longfellow Square “on June 20. It was recorded at the venue on Nov.
16, 2023. With an 18-piece lineup that includes vocalist Katie Oberholtzer and composer and trumpeter Craig Skeffington, the recording impresses with its song choices (originals and new arrangements of other artists’ works) and pristine sound. “Live at One Longfellow Square” opens with Skeffington’s instrumental “That Escalated Quickly.
” The tune is vibrant with his effervescent solos and several other applause-inducing moments of all-out jazz perfection by the band. Tenor sax player Mike Sakash’s arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Falando De Amor” features Katie Oberholtzer singing in Portugeuse with a crystalline voice and a tapestry of horns and percussion that are both lush and moody. Skeffington slays again with the original track “Emergency Stopping Only,” a high-energy tune that erupts with percussion and takes listeners on a roller coaster ride of horn solos.
Jake Sturtevant’s piano on “She Walks the Earth” (written by Ivan Lins and arranged by Skeffington) is like a beacon calling listeners in for a colorful romp, propelled by Sakash’s tenor sax solos. “Live at One Longfellow Square” is a tour de force album that even novice jazz fans will embrace. Drummer.
