HAIKU

DON ELLIS (1934 -- 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He experimented especially with time signatures, and later in his life he composed several soundtracks, the best known of those films being The French Connection (William Friedkin, 1971). Often his albums are big band oriented with lots of brass, and in this sense Haiku is a unique work. Actually it's pretty unique in the whole jazz genre. The ten Ellis originals are "based" on Japanese haiku poems and feature a large string orchestra (ie. violins, violas and cellos) plus harp, behind the leading instrument which is naturally the trumpet played by Ellis. There are also guitarists, keyboards and a rhythm section involved, but on some pieces their roles are relatively small. On some tracks such as 'Parting' the rhythm section is more present, but always in a peaceful manner.

The music is extremely mellow, relaxed, starry-eyed romantic and introspective. The arrangements by Ellis himself are excellent in their harmonic smoothness. Perhaps the music is at times almost too sentimental for its own good -- or then not! Naturally it depends on the listener's point of view. I wholeheartedly appreciate this album for being proudly what it is. Listen to 'Mirror-Pond of Stars' or 'Two Autumns' for example, and you know why I used the words starry- eyed romantic.

Also the track titles reflect the nature-inspired serenity: 'Blossoming', 'Cherry Petals', 'Summer Rain', 'Dew', etc. To whom this music is best recommended? To romantic minds who appreciate introspective melodies and relaxed mellowness, and who enjoy the sounds of the trumpet, harp and softly played strings, and who are not straight away put off by sentimento. Very beautiful music to soothe your mind and make you feel dreamy and romantic.

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