Considering the amount of material on the Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra’s epic debut album Time Takes Odd Turns that was originally written for college level assignments and high school bands, this phenomenally well played, wild stylistic twist and turn-filled extravaganza is truly the ultimate class project.
Trumpeter, pianist, composer and leader of this high energy 20-piece ensemble, Johnson has led a fascinating double life for years, pursuing his successful academic career as a Professor of Psychology (primarily at Indiana State Univessity) while studying music at various premiere institutions and gigging when time allowed. Four months after retiring from teaching in January 2023, it was go time for his long delayed dream.
After putting together this fascinating band full of Indiana University grads and prominent musicians on the Indianapolis jazz scene, he entered the studio to record these 11 unique pieces. While the backstory about Johnson’s life of so-called odd turns is compelling, it’s just the set up for a spirit stirring, wild whirlwind of jazz, pop and big band fun on par with any of the more famous veteran large ensembles working today.
Not surprisingly considering how long this multi-talented force of musical nature has waited to unleash his passion on us, Johnson opens with a bright, punchy and ultra-tuneful journeying piece (“Naught One”) based on an experiment using a major7sus4 chord. That won’t mean much to listeners as they enjoy the absolute radiance of his extended trumpet solo in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Hands down, for brilliant arranging and playing, the most masterful element of the album is his 3-part, approximately 20 minute 80’s suite, whose compositional uniqueness and excitement we can partially attribute to Johnson’s love of Genesis and Phil Collins.
The fast paced, whimsical and old school keyboard driven “Book One” was inspired by Genesis’ prog rock excursions, while the gorgeous ballad “One More Time” is Johnson’s attempt to out-Phil Phil when he was nominated for “Against All Odds.” “Lucky 13,” the third piece of the trilogy, rolls like a prog-rock keyboard extravaganza meets a spy thriller soundtrack- and was the final project in Johnson’s second semester of Jazz Arranging and Composition with Dominic Spera.
Inspired by Snarky Puppy, “En La Casa delos Perritos” is another phenomenal entry point to the cool divine madness of the TJJO is another class project (Berklee Online Jazz Composition), a wild affair featuring sizzling horn energy, wild synth imaginings and another brilliant Johnson solo. That’s only half the fun, folks. Time Takes Odd Turns has tons more majestically arranged fire to offer – and the ride is a total innovative blast!
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