Oscar Lavën: ‘Elegant Calamity’

There’s an eclectic hue to ‘Elegant Calamity’, the new big band album from New Zealand saxophonist Oscar Lavën.

Big bands around the world are increasingly exploring the extent of the rich colours in such a large ensemble - even as it becomes increasingly financially difficult to form and tour them. Lavën has produced a bespoke ensemble that takes its inspiration from the classic big bands of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus and adds a touch of the cinematic.

The opening track - Trong Park - is energetic and vibrant, with south American rhythms and enthusiastic vocals breaking through the fine composition and arrangement.

Lavën’s compositions were made possible through trumpeter Michael Costeloe’s groundbreaking Jazz Orchestra Composer Series, which offers musicians both freedom to create imaginatively and a platform to perform.

Far from a typical collection of instruments, Lavën’s tenor sax melds beautifully into the woodwinds of Bridget Kelly (clarinet), Calvin Scott (oboe), Daniel Yeabsley (alto and bass saxes) and Patrick Hayes (bass clarinet). Brass comes from Michael Taylor (trumpet), Michael Costeloe (trumpet) and Kaito Walley (trombone), with strings of Tristan Carter (violin), Ana Henderson (violin) and Nicholas Denton-Protsack (cello).

At the heart of all the arrangements are a solid and captivating rhythm section of John Rae (drums), Rafael Ferrer Noel (percussion), Mikey Trujillo (percussion), Ayrton Foote (piano) and Patrick Bleakley (double bass).

The entire album is effortless but virtuosic. Particular mention goes to the trumpets on Dizzy Campaign and Lavën’s sax solos which define this as his album, as much as the brilliant writing and arranging.

Lavën says: “I wrote Elegant Calamity in pursuit of a sound that allows the personalities of the eclectic mix of musicians to shine through. These players represent different corners of the vibrant New Zealand art music scene and I hope listeners around the globe will be able to appreciate this through this album.”