David Bloom – Compositions, guitar
Cliff Colnot – Arrangements
Rob Parton – Trumpet and flugelhorn
Tom Garling – Trombone
Tom Matta – Trombone
David Griffin – French horn
Jennifer Clippert – Alto and bass flute
Jennifer Gunn – Alto flute
Mary Stolper – Alto flute
Jim Gailoretto – Soprano and tenor saxophones
Mike Smith – Alto saxophone
Paul Mertens – Alto saxophone
Mark Colby – Tenor saxophone
Linda Van Dyke – Bass clarinet and
baritone saxophone
Andy Nogal – English horn, oboe
Bill Buchman – Bassoon
Jeremy Kahn – Piano
Katinka Kleijn – Cello
Larry Kohut – Bass
Eric Hochberg – Bass
Victor Lewis – Drums
Dana Hall – Drums and percussion
Cynthia Yeh – Percussion
Michael Kozakis – Percussion
Cheryl Wilson – Viola and Voice
Doyle Armbrust – Viola
Rose Armbrust – Viola
David Beytas – Viola
Carol Cook – Viola
Tony Devroye – Viola
Christine Due – Viola
Sixto Franco – Viola
Michael Liberman – Viola
Kevin Lin – Viola
Erin Rafferty – Viola
The cinematic Contender is guitarist and composer David Bloom’s third collaboration with arranger Cliff Colnot. It features variously sized ensembles that range from a tight sextet on the intimate and summery “First Smile,” to a big band that includes 11 violas on the expansive and dramatic “Presumptuous Assumption.”
Despite the changing and delightfully unusual instrumentation, two elements are common to all 10 tracks. For one, each composition is built around a unique and memorable refrain that flows from one section to another, and repeats from one musician to the next with some embellishments.
“I Remember Wes,” for instance, is built around an effervescent up-tempo melody with a languid, facile sway. Bloom himself performs the head, while the various band members exchange carefully orchestrated lines around his hypnotic vamps. Tenor saxophonist Mark Colby takes his turn in the spotlight with yearning lines and reverberating tones, followed by Bloom and his eloquent, darkly hued chords. Trumpeter Rob Parton complements Colby and Bloom with warm and mellow flugelhorn phrases. Overall, the piece has the nostalgic sound of a 1980s film soundtrack.
The second unifying theme of the album is Colnot’s careful and exact orchestration that creates mesmerizing ambiences, even though it does not allow for much spontaneous expression.
The magical, fairytale-like “Will or Won’t” opens with bassist Eric Hochberg’s pizzicato strings. English horn player Andy Nogal’s ethereal sound, mixed with violist and vocalist Cheryl Wilson’s wordless singing, gives the tune an otherworldly and pastoral lyricism.
Most of the solos are short and remain close to the written score, but there are a few spots of longer improvisations. One example is drummer Victor Lewis’ thunderous galloping beats and exuberant polyrhythms that elegantly bisect the celebratory “Coulda Been a Contenda.”
Overall Contender is a highly engaging and charming work that reflects not only Bloom and Colnot’s immense talents, but also its creators’ superb and brilliant synergy.