Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

A familiarity with Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" helps to achieve a deeper appreciation of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. Bassist and arranger, Furic, openly states Copland's Yankee theme in the first bars of "Song of the Rolling Earth." Thereafter, his ensemble of saxes, bass clarinet, trumpets, Fender Rhodes and more, improvise heavily on the theme, taking it a Plains State's width in unexpected directions. Furic's work is certainly personal, more inspired by Copland than imitating him. Some compositions, like the perky "Song of the Open Road," featuring mostly keys and bass backing first trumpet than sax, are entirely his composition. This highly interpretative work uses Copland as a springboard to its own democratic frontiers of variations. Furic's work is also a mini-history, a linear look back on jazz chronology. The work being simpler, more traditional and gradually accruing more modern and challenging free jazz elements, before choosing quietude and an increasingly spiritual introspection in the ending triptych, "Song of the Universal," "Evening Prayer" and "Ending." Conceived, and expected, as a majestic and stunning whole, Crossing is a magnificent jazz opus from this French musician and creator.