A valued but low-profile saxophonist in a long series of high-profile bands, Pete Hurt has a reputation among musicians as a distinctive and hugely resourceful composer. Two decades have managed to slip by since his last album as leader, so this will come as a revelation to many. A jazz orchestra is not just a big band. It is capable of great depth and subtlety and this is where Hurt excels. The inner voices combine and separate in ever-changing patterns, solos emerge and subside, and the sheer range of sound is exhilarating. With 16 players of all ages, from veterans to newcomers, the solo styles are nicely varied, too. To hear the whole thing live would be a memorable experience.
