13 Themes for a Triskaidekapho

Joyous large-ensemble session with lots of open-ended improvisation. Tracks include composed threads and prearranged solos, so it's not all one big blur. Loud and exhiliarating, mostly fast tempos, with some expert soloing.

It's an 18-piece band performing a piece about fear of the number 13.
The band comprises some of Southern California's finest jazz/improv artists including Vinny Golia (the Bay Area's Ernesto Diaz-Infante is in there as well). Every track is energetic -- even the slow ones -- and worth a spin.

1- Slow symphonic horn theme, pretty and hymn-like. Into slow abstract improv that includes a squirrely sax solo.
2- Mad soft swirling w/flutes, and a fast brass interlude
3- Slow-moving, with an aggressive, swooping composed line. Cool little rhythm later
4- Creeping and ominous, w/screechy overblowing sax solo
5*- Tumbling mid/fast, a stomping feel
6*- Clockworks gone mad, dueling with the slow theme from #1
7- Quiet busy jungle pulse; raspy horns like lone wild birds
8- Fast horn flurries, with pauses and quiet segments.
9- Fast w/ soft feel. Bass and flute solos
10- Bass clarinet solo, aggressive. Ends with screechy loudness
11*- Jazzy horn jam
12- Slow, groany
13*- Slow, w/big loud guitar freakout!