The Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble

The Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble: Swingin' Into the Millennium

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 2001

This latest album by the widely honored Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble, encompassing half a dozen concert appearances during 1999–2000, is greatly enhanced by the towering presence of Brazilian trumpet master Claudio Roditi who sketches a charming “Portrait of Art” [Farmer?] and weaves more of his special magic on the easygoing bossa “Arpoador.” When Claudio’s not around the ensemble runs into choppier waters, especially when vocalists Meredith Morris or Nicholas Brooks are aboard ship. Morris wobbles unsteadily through Cole Porter’s ...