The brothers Gardner first came to notice with the Count Basie Orchestra in Frank Foster's time; these days trombonist Vincent is a key member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra while bandleader-trumpeter Derrick holds the chair in jazz trumpet in the Faulty of Music at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. His ensemble, as heard here, is made up of established players like his brother and Gross, for instance, and some of the brighter talents from his college connections. This appears to be their debut recording together.

Derrick wrote and arranged all 10 tracks, some quite evocative and others relating to specific aspects of African-American experience, good and bad, notably ‘Melody for Trayvon’ this for Trayvon Martin so senselessly slain in 2012 and markedly apposite at the time of writing.

My digital version of the album opens with the 14-minute ‘Push Come ‘Da Shove’, a blues which uses Tyner references over a pedal point bass motif, the ensembles overlaid in Mingus fashion, patterns changing as the sections cut in and out, the lengthy solos (all uncredited) leading to a soft finish. The title track is for Maya Angelou and is nearer to big band conventions in its firm propulsion, with a fine solo by Vincent before ‘Soulful Brother Gelispie’ for jazz drummer Randy Gelispie, moves with the kind of assurance that Foster would have liked, guitarist Kurtz featured, bassist Sellick impressive in a swinging yet turbulent rhythm section. ‘Melody for Trayvon’ is essentially a contra-fact of Gershwin's ‘It Ain't Necessarily So’, the opening theme reiterated softly and slowly, as the trumpet, trombone and tenor solos play out its elegiac message. Powerful and very affecting.

All in all, Gardner proves himself to be a visionary composer and a resourceful musical organiser. I assume that many of the trumpet solos are his: if so, they're impressive too. Bluesy, often exciting and frequently complex, this is orchestral jazz of high quality. Recommended.