Cleveland Pops and Cleveland Jazz Orchestra at Severance Hall

From Cool Cleveland correspondent Peter Chakerian
 

Severance Hall is a magical facility. Always has been. I have seen and heard a fair amount of sheer genius there, whether it be the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra or a jazz legend like Herbie Hancock and his trio. I can't imagine experiencing anything like last Friday night anywhere else in the world. And that's saying a lot.

See, I got to add one of those performances to the list. Cleveland Pops Conductor and Music Director Carl Topilow and Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Music Director Jack Schantz collaborated on a Pops season-opener concert called (fondly enough) "Side by Side." This live collaboration featured the music of jazz legends like Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck, as well as jazz arrangements from composers John Williams and Richard Rogers... all as performed by their respective musical outlets.

The performance was sold out and the selections and musical mastery was "souled out." Maestro Topilow rocked the house with dozens of clarinet solo runs that were simply staggering. His work on the Benny Goodman Medley (arranged by trombonist Paul Ferguson, who plays with both organizations) was particulary inspiring. Other soloists included Schantz (trumpet); Kent Englehardt (saxophone); John Klayman (saxophone) and deft vocals from luminary Susan Hesse.

"Slaughter on Tenth Avenue," Bob Brookmeyer's "Boom Boom," and Bruebeck's "Blue Rondo ala Turk" were among the highlights, as was a "comparative narrative" in a side-by-side smattering of Tchaikovsky and Ellington's "Nutcracker" suites. Ferguson's arrangement of "Astieri" was the dark horse favorite for this particular reviewer.

Both the orchestras were a great fit and compliment to one another, although there were some moments where it seemed diehard Pops fans weren't sure what to make of the more progressive stylings that the CJO delivered. That will change over time, as the audiences cross-pollenate.

And speaking of cross-pollenation, not only is Cleveland lucky to have these two orchestras in town -- both obviously world-class -- but Cleveland arts organizations as a whole are better for knowing that such partnerships can exist and flower in such a robust and fulfilling way. Working together in such a manner is definitely the way of the future for arts organizations and I can't wait to see what these (and other) organizations come up with next in collaboration. Or, as they say, side by side.
From Cool Cleveland correspondent Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com