A final recording called Expeditions with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band from which ‘Arrival’ streams is set for an August release
The project marks McNeely’s final recorded work before his death last September. He worked as the ensemble’s composer-in-residence.
A Chicago-born jazz pianist and composer McNeely after graduating from the University of Illinois moved to New York in 1975. He gained a reputation playing keyboards for groups led by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Stan Getz and Phil Woods. And over his long career, he received 12 Grammy nominations and won a Grammy Award in 2008. He also directed the BMI Jazz Composers’ Workshop for 16 years.
Mentored by Bob Brookmeyer, McNeely developed a bold writing style. He blended rich post-bop harmonies with complex, multi-layered arrangements. His signature sound features fast saxophone runs, punchy syncopated bass lines and dramatic brass accents.
His most celebrated work spans several decades of top-tier big band recordings. He made an immediate mark with East Coast Blow Out in 1989, a groundbreaking suite recorded with the WDR Big Band, guitarist John Scofield, Bass Desires and late period Bill Evans bassist Marc Johnson and Sco head Adam Nussbaum, the revered sticksman later known for his work in The Impossible Gentlemen and with Linley Hamilton.
As chief conductor of the Danish Radio Big Band, McNeely produced the Grammy-nominated album Nice Work. During his long tenure with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, he also crafted albums like Lickety Split and Up from the Skies.
Later in his career, he delivered sweeping symphonic collaborations, including 2022’s Rituals with saxophonist Chris Potter and again the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.
For Expeditions the recording took place in a live setting at Frankfurt’s Hessischer Rundfunk [Hesse broadcasting] Sendesaal studio/hall in June 2024. The compositions range from fanfares and counterpoint to solo features across the brass, woodwind and rhythm sections.
The Expeditions suite is tailored directly to the playing styles of the Frankfurt Radio Big Band’s individual members. Principal players include Steffen Weber, Martin Auer, Heinz-Dieter Sauerborn and Martin Scales.