''The 80th Birthday Concert'' is a two-CD live album by George Russell released on the Concept label in 2005, featuring a performance by Russell with his Living Time Orchestra recorded in 2003. Despite having been named an NEA Jazz Master, and receiving MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, Russell was unable to arrange a United States tour for his ensemble on the occasion of his 80th birthday, and instead presented his celebratory concerts in Europe.

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

, Scott Yanow wrote: "''The 80th Birthday Concert''... stands as one of ussell'sfinest recordings and sums up much of his career... it is the sound of the passionate ensembles, the very original writing, and the spirit of the musicians and the ageless Russell that makes this a highly recommended set". The authors of the ''

Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' is a reference work containing an encyclopedic directory of jazz recordings on CD which were (at the time of publication) currently available in Europe or the United States. The first nine editions were compiled by ...

'' awarded the album 4 stars, calling it "an unashamed celebration of some of Russell's greatest works, but also a valuable introduction to one of the most important bodies of work in modern jazz composition."

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

John Fordham John Fordham (died 1425) was Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Ely. Fordham was keeper of the privy seal of Prince Richard from 1376 to 1377 and Dean of Wells before being named Lord Privy Seal in June 1377. He held that office until December 1381 ...

called the album "exuberant", and noted that the music "brought a Barbican crowd to their feet." Aaron Steinberg, writing for

Jazz Times ''JazzTimes'' is an American magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade of growth ...

, praised the "strong solos from tenor saxophonist Andy Sheppard, guitarist Mike Walker and electrified trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg" on "Electronic Sonata" and "The African Game", but stated that the two closing works are "more charming." In a review for

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, Robert R. Calder awarded the album 4 stars, and commented: "Russell has never been interested in writing music for any specific audience. He's an intellectual and has feelings about all manner of serious issues. He doesn't compartmentalise, because he understands that metaphysics, ecology, boogaloo and technical analysis move together. Imagine a dancing philosopher."

Track listing

Personnel

* George Russell – conductor, arranger * Stuart Brooks, Stanton Davis,

Palle Mikkelborg Palle Mikkelborg (born 6 March 1941) is a Danish jazz trumpet player, composer, arranger and record producer. He is self-taught on the trumpet, although he studied conducting at the Royal Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. He became a professio ...

– trumpet * Dave Bargeron – trombone *Richard Henry – bass trombone *

Chris Biscoe Chris Biscoe (born 5 February 1947, East Barnet, Hertfordshire, England) is an English jazz multi-instrumentalist, a player of the alto, soprano, tenor and baritone saxophone, the alto clarinet, piccolo and flute. Biscoe is most notable for hi ...

– alto saxophone *

Andy Sheppard Andy Sheppard (born 20 January 1957) is a British jazz saxophonist and composer. He has been awarded several prizes at the British Jazz Awards, and has worked with some notable figures in contemporary jazz, including Gil Evans, Carla Bley, ...

– tenor saxophone *

Pete Hurt Pete Hurt (born September 22, 1956) is an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Samford University in Homewood, Alabama from 1994 to 2001, compiling a record of 42–39–1. Hurt has also been the head football coach ...

– baritone saxophone, bass clarinet *Hiro Honshuku – flute, electronics *

Brad Hatfield Brad Hatfield (born May 15, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio) is a musician, arranger, and Emmy Award winning composer. He is a regular performer on piano and keyboards with the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also performed with the Utah Symphony and the Bo ...

, Steve Lodder – keyboards *Bill Urmson – Fender bass * Mike Walker – guitar *Richie Morales – drums *Pat Hollenbeck – percussion

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:80th Birthday Concert Concept Records albums George Russell (composer) live albums 2005 live albums