Don Ellis Live at Montreux
73 min · 9 tracks · jazz
Dynamic big band jazz intertwines intricate rhythms and explosive improvisation, capturing the lively spirit of a live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Open Wide — This opening track sets an electrifying tone with its complex rhythms and vibrant brass arrangements that exemplify Ellis's signature style.
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Sporting Dance — Featuring intricate interplay between instruments, this track highlights the band's cohesion while showcasing Ellis's adeptness at crafting engaging danceable tunes.
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Niner Two — Clocking in at nearly twelve minutes, this expansive piece allows for deep improvisation, illustrating the musicians' virtuosity and Ellis's compositional skills.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's innovative arrangements and improvisational depth highlight Ellis's unique jazz style.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing individual musicians to explore their solos in depth.
- The arrangement of the big band includes brass and woodwinds interacting in intricate counterpoint, enhancing the overall texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic improvisations that surprise
- energetic rhythms for dancing
- captivating live performance energy
- engaging interplay among musicians
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1978, Don Ellis Live at Montreux showcases Ellis's inventive approach to jazz during his later career, following his influential works in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This album emerged after his successful fusion of jazz with avant-garde and classical elements, highlighting his continuous evolution as a bandleader and composer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Russell· Thad Jones· Buddy Rich
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Open Wide 9:41
- 2 Loneliness 5:54
- 3 Future Feature 7:18
- 4 Go-No-Go 5:10
- 5 Sporting Dance 8:45
- 6 Niner Two 11:59
- 7 Lyra 8:32
- 8 Eros 5:39
- 9 Arcturus 10:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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