Steps Ahead feat. by WDR BIG BAND - Pools

Musical summit meeting between STEPS AHEAD and the WDR BIG BAND: The former chief conductor WDR BIG BAND, Michael Abene, wrote the arrangements for this gigantic musical project, which was broadcast live by ARTE CONCERT. The musical piece "Pools" was written by composer Don Grodnick. The band members of STEPS AHEAD are Mike Mainieri (vibraphone), Chuck Loeb (guitar), Bill Evans (saxophone), Tom Kennedy (bass) and Steve Smith (drums). Produced April 28 at the Bayer Erholungshaus / Leverkusen.
The musicians of STEPS AHEAD wanted to live up to the band name and always be the proverbial step ahead with their music, some of which is anthemic in character. A welcome means was always the exploration of electronic expression possibilities and the uncompromising overlapping of rock and jazz patterns.
More about the WDR BIG BAND:
www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor...
/ wdrbigband
/ wdr_big_band

[@louiscardineau2945]

This bass is just awesome. So much groove and phrases. Kennedy is shining through this song!

[@jazzx251]

He's absolutely fantastic ... not just his solo, but I'm enjoying every moment of his groove as well.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

🙏🙏🙏

[@sbrgm]

It's always fascinating for me, that you recognize Bill Evans after the first tones - no matter which sax he plays. He has a very special sound. Amazing.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

True, sbrgm!

[@jillsalkin6704]

Phenomenal!!

[@marcmarc172]

One of the greatest Chuck Loeb solos ever. RIP. I find it extra sad when I discover a new musician to quickly learn they have moved on. Take care, your impact on this world is forever. Every goose bump on my skin lets you live on through me.

[@RW-ob4en]

Nice post.

[@jazzx251]

He was awesome.

[@dr.feelgood7328]

R.I.P. Chuck Loeb.

[@MegaRas73]

Fantastic, nobody tells Bill Evans what to wear lol

[@Clarksaxjazzfusion]

😂😂

[@Hijab_Diffusion]

Pretty sure he just wanted to stand out 😎

[@tonewreck1]

First of all, Pools is such an amazing composition! One of he best of the fusion era for me. It is very rare to hear a big band arrangement that does justice to such a tune, congratulations to Michael Abine and all the players. Very tasteful and well played arrangement indeed! Everybody is just great! Still sounds fresh and true to the original even though Mike Manieri is the only remaining original member. Classic!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you so much for your kind words, tonewreck1!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi tonewreck1! 🙏🙏🙏

[@lightdweller]

It is one of the greatest jazz compositions ever. IMHOP I think this is Don Grolnick’s magnum opus that will live on, although he is long gone. 👏 🙏

[@christianlassen3948]

@@lightdweller A litlle more appreciation for Don Grolnik is way overdue.... What a GIANT he was, as a player, composer and producer !!!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

So cool to see Steve Smith play with these guys

[@PeteN_2]

I heard this piece originally by Steps Ahead which Ive always loved . This new arrangement by Michael Abene takes this piece to another level . In Essence a beautiful arrangement bought to life by this superb orchestra and soloists. Tom Kennedy on bass holding the piece together with his amazing bass lines makes it look like a walk in the park !

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Pete! It was a great production with all of them and Mike Abene...

[@rmoraespinto]

Miss Chuck and his inspired lines -- what a beauty!... R.I.P.

[@Skipperj]

Yes he sure played some ear catching lines! And he's sorely missed.

[@mayhawky]

I didnt even know that he was gone,thanks, R.I.P. Chuck.

[@RobertoDAraujo]

I knew I will find you here!!

[@omko73]

@@Skipperj Sublime !

[@Clarksaxjazzfusion]

He was a great player left us too soon ☹️☹️🎸🎸🎸

[@penchev73]

Bill Evans is a saxmonster🎶🎶🎶🎷

[@SuneSchack]

This is mindblowing/amazing. Loved Steps Ahead since day one (1979). This version/recording is a masterpiece. Great tribute to the original. Love it 🎹❤️🤩🙏💫

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Sune! 👍 Thank you for watching and stay healthy!

[@1marttie]

Incredible rhythm section!!! Steve Smith one of my all time favorite drummers!!! Thank you!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Brooke, Brooke, Brooke! Thank you!

[@janellek8600]

Tom Kennedy has great sound on that bass!

[@munhus01]

Composition, arrengement , conductor, musicians, solos,...Gorgeous!

[@teachertrainingworkshops3270]

stunning recording quality - like a studio. Arrangements are great too

[@davidalmog1318]

Flawless and in the Brecker spirit....as good as any standard

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you, David.

[@davidsudak5114]

Well, technically it’s in the Don Grolnick spirit, but Evans is certainly playing in the Brecker spirit.

[@jillsalkin6704]

I just discovered this, looking for live versions of "Pools." Brilliant! And good to see original member of Steps Ahead, Mike Mainieri. Great writing for the horns!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Jill! Thank you and welcome to our channel. Maybe you find some interesting tune on our channel. At the moment there is only one tune of "Pools" on our channel.

[@bekagigauri1799]

Mr. Tom Kennedy absolutely stunning !!

[@Yetipfote]

[@Yetipfote]

that bass heals my soul.

[@mahabarata8372]

from umbria jazz 85 till now...the masterpiece!

[@victorydesigngroup1066]

You’re absolutely right about Tom Kennedy’s sound ! Saw him couple of days ago at the Iridium with Mike Stern , amazing musician, great sound and taste !

[@BlackRootsUNLIMITED]

Always looking forward to WDR Beautiful 👌🏿 So glad to see my friend Chuck Loeb. It was a great experience, honor and privilege to host and to perform with him here in Uganda. Rest In Eternal Power Brother. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi BlackRoots! Great! Thank you for being with us! How is musical life going on in Uganda?

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi BlackRoots! Thank you for the hint! We will watch out!

[@funklover24]

Steve Smith is an excellent drummer, who knows how to read a soloist. Not overplaying and damned grooooooooovvvyyyy. :)

[@renerecappe4881]

Still I miss Peter Erskine

[@jamessteen6667]

Sorry man erskine played pools alot better, u should look him up playing steelydan, ampatheatre in cali.

[@jamessteen6667]

​@@renerecappe4881yep ur sooo right

[@cosmicpickle6562]

A neat coincidence that late in the career of the Steps Ahead band they record an album with the WDR Big Band with Chuck Loeb in the group and also late in the career of the band Metro, they also recorded an album with WDR. Of course Metro also featured the talented Chuck Loeb.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Cosmic, yeah R.I.P Chuck, we miss him all.

[@johnshitwalker3483]

I love it. Excellent music. Thank you for this amazing sharing.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi John! You are welcome and thank you for watching us!

[@sherissetheafropunkentrepr3127]

Wow! 2 of my teachers and friends in the same video Mike Abene arranger and Tom Kennedy Bass. Legends

[@Yetipfote]

You lucky bastard!

[@sherissetheafropunkentrepr3127]

Volvox Id like to think so. They are both beasts and taught me a lot!

[@patriciovera5175]

gracias : wdr big band , exelente compañia

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Gracias, Patricio!

[@1marttie]

Love Steve Smith!!!

[@jamesemahaffey4323]

Love this tune..reminds me of the old Woody Hermann band. Well done, Michael. JimMahaffeyMusic.

[@soerenguitarlessons9947]

Man, this music is fantastic. Alone the bass solo is unique, and then these superstars continue to amaze. thanks a lot for loading!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Stay tuned, there will be more stuff of this concert!

[@SuperDonLong]

You can easily judge the quality of this recording by watching Steve Smith. He is having a blast, and that means we should all be having a similarly great time. What a fantastic performance by all. WOW!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😂😉

[@titolivio6832]

Adoro questo pezzo. L'originale con la prima band era fantastico.

[@Nissantrommler]

Oh Boy, what an arrangement by Michael Abene. Chuck`s solo just knocks me off, not to mention the great sound of Tom and Bill - besides the perfect disciplined groove of Mr. Smith - just amazing this whole package !!! I already heard this 3 times in 2 days - and it is still fascinating - especially why its also my favorite Big-Band !!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Nissantrommler! Thank you very much for your kind words! Feel free to hear this tune as often as you like to do it:)

[@ibrahimmerel831]

La big band WDR es una de las mejores Orquestas de jazz de un super alto nivel que siempre da gamas de escucharlo. Esta super orquesta nos brinda una gran escuela de música donde te actualizas continuamente y mides tu nivel. Gracias a los directires musicales y a todos los músicos, al cuerpo tecnico y todos en general.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Ibrahim, muchas gracias!

[@MarcHalikas_surfercook]

I couldn't stop watching and kept hoping it wouldn't end!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Marc! Great! Thank you for visiting our channel and sorry you are caught in the continuous loop😎

[@stuartdryer1352]

Bill Evans is a highly underrated sax player.

[@heldon17]

Stuart Dryer, really. Legend where I'm from, considered up there with Brecker and Co. How strange, have never heard anyone say that ever.

[@stuartdryer1352]

@@heldon17 I think he is a legend too. But not as well known as he deserves.

[@sp4gsus]

Had some pretty big shoes to fill

[@1955drv]

Yes indeed this is very special with great techniques 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@martinbe5111]

Bill evans since the 80's with the swag

[@michaelthomas4805]

Simple, yet powerful. The orchestration and subtle color changes and dynamic textures painted a musical masterpiece. This is more jazz orchestra than jazz band.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

True, Michael!

[@alfredoremus4409]

Que nivel y calidad profesional presenta siempre la WDR big band en todas sus presentaciones que son muchisimas, grandes músicos!

[@thierrydumas]

WDR BIG BAND est plus qu'une formation de qualité, ils jouent comme des amis!

[@crossleydd42]

They do indeed!

[@moin-lk7xm]

... fxxxing awesome. A milestone in Jazz...

[@mrbertiep1]

Superb players with a phenomenal big band playing a wonderful composition - what more could you ask for!!

[@JazzKeyboardist1]

cool.. we want to be on stage? hi

[@stevesaxmusician65]

Bill Evans rips this, doin Brecker proud.

[@davekana8388]

I wonder if Bill is playing his self-designed mouthpiece, think is was like $1,700.

[@blairhelsing630]

So glad to have discovered this version.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Blair! Great! Have fun! And welcome to our channel!

[@DrumSolVanIsle]

Bravo in fact bravissimo!!

[@yankelmoskauer]

I love this music and this performance! Great band!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thank you very much, Victor!

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

Grandios! Absolut wunderschön!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Danke, Andreas!

[@danjuric622]

Wow, this put a smile on my face quickly!

[@1marttie]

Tom Kennedy is killing!!!!!

[@jazzx251]

I'm now in an extremely priveleged position ... I am now, as we speak, teaching a trombone student of mine how to play "Pools", the highlight of my teaching career! I always wanted to teach "Pools" to someone. And now I am. And I have chosen this version - simply because it's the best - outside of the original, which sadly didn't feature any trombones. Last week, we focused on tongueing - and used the metronome to time the low off-beat 1/8 note Cs during the main melody. Right now, I'm showing him this video - and promising him that it will all be worth it - as I'm showing him the awesome main solo section you guys made (it's brilliant! - but he's going to do you all justice - I'll tell you THAT!)... Even though he's going to be watching and listening to your amazing performance, rather than playing, for most of the lesson, I hope he comes away realising that listening to excellence is often the best education you can get. It certainly worked for me when I first heard "Pools", and jammed to it endlessly - despite not knowing what a chord symbol was ... I'm also going to teach him about using "anthems" in your solos - the vibraphone lends itself to anthemic 4ths and 5ths .. I've often used them at the beginning of my trumpet solos, fully intending to return to those themes at the end. When I successfully achieve this, it's guaranteed applause. I job well done. Because anthems based on 4ths and 5ths are "hooks"; extremely memorable "ear worms". Mike Maneiri's opening to his solo is an ear-worm, as will my Trombone student's no doubt be, by the time I've finished with him! :)

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Mai! Great story!

[@jazzx251]

@@WDRBIGBAND thanks so much, he loved his lesson - we watched this performance of "Pools" from beginning to end and loved every moment! ...thanks for indulging me in this silly KZbin stunt! (feel free to delete it if you want) I'm going to show him your version of "Spain" on Friday - what a great version you did! We've been practicing! - I didn't even know you did Spain/La Fiesta (lol) - (amazing!)

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Mai! What has become of the Spain / Fiesta lesson?

[@jazzx251]

@@WDRBIGBAND It was pretty magical ... My trombone student is part of a family of brass students I have taught for many years - 2 trombones and a trumpet Covid 19 meant that I had to learn how to use Zoom. And, despite their house burning down [another story], they still wanted music lessons online. Two of them went on to study at Oxford University - and my new-found Zoom skills allowed us to continue lessons from afar. But, recently, - inbetween terms - the brothers all went back to their reconstructed home .. and for a blissful 4 weeks, I got to teach them ALL "Spain" together, in person. They loved it! La Fiesta will be next ...

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍👍👍

[@antonsavin72]

Beautifully played!

[@aviggiani1]

saw these guys, AWESOME.!

[@fappiucircoloartistico7928]

Semplicemente....Grande composizione, grande arrangiamento, grande performance!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Mille gracie, Fappiu!

[@Stubummer]

Awesome!!!!!!

[@Delfidash]

Grande Big Band !!! Bill Evans superb !!

[@jazzx251]

Me: "This is great, it's just as good as the original ..." 4:44 : "'Mike Maneiri'" Me: "Oh - that's why!"

[@playonkorg]

What a great timing, accents and nice soundmaster

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Ewout! Thank you!

[@benchrista3231]

Great performance! Applause! Thanks for all the hard work and I guess you all had fun. Can see Chuck Loeb who isn't with us anymore...R.I.P. Chuck and a good life for all of you! We need this cultural approach and I hope it will not be gone by financial issues etc. // Keep going! Appreciate!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

We are hoping it, too!

[@berivasd]

L'attacco di Bill Evans è da brividi

[@jazzx251]

This is superb! :)

[@Eduard_Kolesnikov]

COOOOLL !!!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Wow!

[@wilsoncosta5822]

Maravilha do Jazz. que som este sax tenor.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😊Wilson!

[@pierrepeyronnet6800]

Magnifique 👍👍😍😍

[@thorstenthiel760]

Toll einfach nur schön euch zu hören RADIO ACTIVE hat mich begeistert und heute immer noch TOP

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍Thorsten!

[@teajaydc4484]

I really enjoyed that! I really missed Chuck Loeb. R.I.P.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Yes Teajay, we miss him too.

[@shred69]

God damn Bill Evans and Steve Smith in the same room! Whenever I watch these guys I get the urge to play. Love this.

[@thegougeman]

Steve played Peter's drum parts to the T. Two of the best drummers to grace the planet.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Yes!

[@firespirals]

Ben Kingsley is a great drummer!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

:)...haha, no, he did not replace the great Steve Smith.

[@bassisthenrik]

😂😂😂

[@Douglipe25]

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😉

[@olric63]

And Al Pacino a great vibraphonist

[@1marttie]

Mike, WOW!!!

[@Madlou]

That Bill Evans is sick!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

😎 Louis!

[@Johnelhadjmi]

One of the best band of all time 👍👍❤🇨🇭

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Great music, great project!

[@linandropinheiro1512]

VERY GOOD ORQUEST.

[@Brunomarrazzo1]

Wonderful

[@pajoafonso3490]

brilliant ....!

[@JosueLopez-gn1me]

Verdaderamente magistral!

[@sp4gsus]

113 comments. What a world, where people just do not recognize excellence.

[@ChannelMaster720]

Love the WDR BIG BAND! You have so many different instruments and all blend together so beautifully. Keep recording! SYLVIA! 10/21

[@WDRBIGBAND]

We will do, we promise you, ChannelMaster720!

[@ChannelMaster720]

@@WDRBIGBAND I'll be checking!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi ChannelMaster720! Great!

[@willholton]

Opening line is from THUNDERCATS cutaway scenes. AWESOMENESS

[@alejandrolopezluna1847]

Estupendo grupo y maravillosa orquesta

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Alejandro, muchas gracias!

[@MrDaveaccord]

Tom Kennedy and his Fodera bass are pretty awesome/

[@BANDLDR]

I really like the John Fedchock arrangement of this tune he did for the Woody Herman band in the 80s, but this version is cool too. Interesting to have the “group within a group” here.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hi Vince, it is not unusual, that the WDR Big Band is playing together with other musical formations. Have a look at this for example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqG8k51_ntGYnc0

[@BANDLDR]

@@WDRBIGBAND haha...I saw that one just the other day. Such a great tune! I saw the Yellowjackets in concert at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Fest in the early 90s (one of Marc Russo’s last gigs with the group I believe) and they were fantastic.

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Hey Vince, - good old times: isiting a festival sounds like a good fairy tale from good times. The UNC Jazz Festival would have celebrated its 50th anniversary this year....hopefully they can celebrate next year!

[@robertovivas9116]

Todos MUSICOS de primeira Linea

[@WDRBIGBAND]

🙏Roberto!

[@angelsciang]

All that jazz yeah

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Thanx, Angela!

[@stephanesalch18]

ça fait du bien des musiciens qui jouent pas forcément 50 notes à la seconde !

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Steve Smith 👍👏

[@PaoloLongo]

very good !WDR : prima!

[@Gusrikh1]

Lovely

[@Yetipfote]

Einzählen a la Michael Abene: *ONE ... TWO ... TWO... TWO!!*

[@JohnGreenanwildone]

great tenor

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Love how Ben Kingsley hit the drums👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WDRBIGBAND]

Yep, Steve Smith can really remind you of Ben, but we can't say if Ben has ever played drums. 😉

[@Fili2009able]

Wow

[@heartvalais]

Steve Smith ❣️

[@luke125]

Love that tune

[@WDRBIGBAND]

👍

[@MrRoiseL]

❤️

[@LaloRojasSax]

Muy rica!

[@Logan-Wolverine]

Grandissimi!!!

[@WDRBIGBAND]

mille gracie!

[@massimozannoni7362]

Chuck Loeb top!

[@MatNewtonTrio]

❤️👏