The Jazzpar Prize is an album by Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra with David Murray released on the Enja label in recognition of the awarding of the 1991 Danish Jazzpar Prize to Murray. The album was recorded in 1991 and released in 1992 and features performances by Murray, Pierre Dørge, Horace Parlan, Harry Beckett, Per Jörgensen, Jörg Huke, Jesper Zeuthen, Jacob Mygind, Irene Becker, Jens Skou Olsen, and Audun Kleive.
After Muhal Richard Abrams, who has the first recipient in 1990, Murray was chosen by a committee made up of Dan Morgenstern, Gary Giddins (USA), Philippe Carles (France), Bert Noglik (Germany), and Erik Wiedemann (Denmark). The band invited to accompany Murray was Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra; their first concert was March 13, 1991, in Copenhagen, repeated in Odense and Aarhus, before they made the studio recordings in Copenhagen.
Reception
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4.5 stars, stating: "The performances are avant-garde, but not afraid of using melodies and straight-ahead rhythms when it best suits the music."
Track listing
"Do Green Ants Dream?" (Dorge) - 9:01
"David in Wonderland" (Dorge) - 7:18
"Gospel Medley" - 6:16
"In a Sentimental Mood" (Ellington, Kurtz, Mills) - 9:23
"Shakill's Warrior" - 12:26
"Song for Doni" - 10:11
All compositions by David Murray except as indicated. Recorded March 16–17, 1991
Personnel
David Murray - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Pierre Dørge - guitar
Horace Parlan - piano
Harry Beckett - trumpet, flugelhorn
Per Jörgensen - trumpet
Jörg Huke - trombone
Jesper Zeuthen - alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Jacob Mygind - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Irene Becker - piano
Jens Skou Olsen - bass
Audun Kleive - drums
Donald Murray: vocals on "Gospel Medley"