Cultural osmosis means that most everyone recognizes the melody of Verdi's "La donna è mobile" from the opera Rigoletto. Love that title – woman is fickle! Hence that was the first cut on the CD that was chosen for a test-listen, to see if the Ain Agan-led project had wings. Agan, for those living in a cave, is one of Estonia's leading guitarists, record producers and composers. He was chosen by Aktors to bring this idea to fruition. Good idea to ask one of the founders of Estonia's Dream Big Band, whose playing matches their name.
Well, guess what? It works. Definitely jazz, most assuredly Verdi's melody. Perky finger-snapping stuff. Don't do much of that at the Met, do they? Next choice: the famous "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen. Bang-on again. Can't deny that it is Bizet's classic, and it most certainly is good jazz. Mozart's Overture from La nozze di Figaro? Three home runs in a row.
Much of this has to do with the amazing musicians Agan has brought together. Truly talented improvisers mesh here exquisitely. Clarinetist Meelis Vind is a long-time favourite as is bassist Mihkel Mälgand. Tenor sax man Lembit Saarsalu...
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