The Bryan Ferry Orchestra Explained

The Bryan Ferry Orchestra is a retro-jazz ensemble founded and led by Bryan Ferry. They exclusively play his work in a 1920s jazz style. Ferry formed the orchestra out of a desire to focus on the melodies of his songs, and "see how they would stand up without singing".^[1] Their album, The Jazz Age, was released on 26 November 2012 as a 10in vinyl folio edition and on 12in vinyl, CD and digital download, on BMG Rights Management^[2] Ferry neither plays nor sings with the orchestra; BBC reviewer Chris Roberts called it a "peculiar concept then, with Ferry now, almost Warhol-like, sagely mute to one side while collaborators silkscreen his own icons. As fascinating as it is perplexing, anything but obvious, and therefore to be applauded."^[3]

Personnel

Performance

• Colin Good - Piano & Arrangements
• Enrico Tomasso - Cornet & Trumpet
• Malcolm Earle-Smith - Trombone
• Richard White - Alto & Bass Saxophones, Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
• Robert Fowler - Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet
• Alan Barnes - Alto & Baritone Saxophones, Saxinet
• Martin Wheatley - Banjo & Guitar
• John Sutton - Drums

Discography

• The Jazz Age (26 November 2012)
• Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film The Great Gatsby (6 May 2013)
  • "Love Is the Drug" (with Bryan Ferry)
  • "Crazy in Love" (with Emeli Sandé)
• A Selection of Yellow Cocktail Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film The Great Gatsby (The Great Gatsby Jazz Recordings) (10 May 2013)
• Babylon Berlin (Music from the Original TV Series) (2017)
  • "Dance Away"
  • "Reason or Rhyme"
  • "Bitters End"
  • "Alphaville"
  • "Chance Meeting"
• Bitter-Sweet (Bryan Ferry album) (30 November 2018)

External links

• Official Bryan Ferry website

Notes and References

1. Neil McCormick, "Bryan Ferry, interview: how his drug became Twenties jazz", The Daily Telegraph, 28 November 2012.
2. News: Guardian music . Bryan Ferry: The Jazz Age – exclusive album stream | Music | guardian.co.uk . The Guardian . 2012-11-19 . 2012-11-26.
3. Chris Roberts, "The Bryan Ferry Orchestra The Jazz Age Review: An album as fascinating as it is perplexing, and one to be applauded." BBC, 23 November 2012.