Creation

As a leader, William Parker usually has both a small group and a free-ranging big band at his disposal. Creation Ensemble falls into the latter category. It includes a dozen people (small by big-band Parker standards), a mix of his usual quartet with European players. Hearing a freewheeling big band can be a magical experience, particularly with William Parker. Here, the band opens with a few short tracks and then stretches out several pieces where you can hear horn players taking wide-open solos and various coalitions of players adding ideas whenever they feel it serves the music (15 minutes into “Wood Flute Song” is a prime example of this). Singing Parker's words, vocalist Ernie Odoom acts much as a poet would during a reading, throwing himself into the impressionistic words. While the first half is excellent, the music really starts to levitate when Parker adds his own authoritative bass playing to the mix halfway through the set. The crowd at this live show can be heard cheering, and rightfully so.