01 May
The Monks Progress by Lungau Big Band
Sunday, 01 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The monk who is the subject of this intriguing big band release is not Thelonious but the "Monk of Salzburg." This monk lived in the late Middle Ages, and is described in t…
27 Apr
Premiere by Western Michigan University Jazz Quartet
Wednesday, 27 April 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Did you ever wonder what is in a jazz name? How do great jazz giants,along with today's jazz stars make their name and be recognized as the new upcoming superstars? Did the…
23 Apr
Bill Holman Band - Live by Bill Holman Band
Saturday, 23 April 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
This exciting new release, the first by the Bill Holman band since Brilliant Corners in 1999, was recorded live at Stratospheric, a tribute to Maynard Ferguson hel…
18 Apr
Next Stop - Live...On the Road by Mike Vax Big Band
Monday, 18 April 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
No grass grows under Mike Vax's feet. He appears as guest lead trumpet and soloist with symphony pops orchestras. He has performed on more than 70 albums. He does workshops…
14 Apr
Live At MCG by The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, 14 April 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Longevity has its rewards in many aspects of life, however in music it just defines rhythm. A rhythm, flow if you will, that may never be reproduced or explained, so has…
06 Apr
Cellar Live by Tilden Webb
Wednesday, 06 April 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The Cellar restaurant, Jazz Club, owned by Cory Weeds, has been voted in the Top 100 Jazz clubs Worldwide category by Downbeat Magazine three times, and is often compared t…
22 Mar
Keeping the Big Band Blues Alive by The Calvin Owens Show
Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
If you like your big band bold and brassy, then consider Calvin Owens’ "Keeping the Big Band Blues Alive." This is a terrific, upbeat, gorgeously performed recording tha…
03 Mar
The Everest Years by Woody Herman
Thursday, 03 March 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The fifties, the era of Elvis and Pat Boone, would not be the best of times for Woody Herman and big band music. It was scuffling time and the band joked about being the un…
26 Feb
The Big Band Project by Gebhard Ullmann
Saturday, 26 February 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Multi-reedman Gebhard Ullmann is accustomed to performing within smaller modern jazz ensembles, generally teetering on the freer side of matters. With his big band proje…
24 Jan
The Harlem Kiddies 1940-45 by Harlem Kiddies
Monday, 24 January 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
As a jazz enthusiast of fifty years, I must admit that Denmark is not the first location to pop into my head when I think of my favorite music. Recording ventures that expl…
22 Jan
Overtime by Dave Holland Big Band
Saturday, 22 January 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It seems that not a month goes by without the announcement of another label being founded by a musician as the alluring possibilities of the Internet and non-traditional di…
16 Jan
One More by Michael Patterson
Sunday, 16 January 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
For sure, this might be my easiest CD review to date, as this is a CD treatise of Thad Jones original music. Thad was my inspiration for the creation of my big band. Michae…
10 Jan
Harold Arlen: Centennial Celebration (2CD set) by Various Artists
Monday, 10 January 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Harold Arlen (1905 - 1986) composed over 400 songs during his lifetime. This 2CD set contains his best known songs by various artists. There are a total of twenty-five song…
30 Jul
Tales from the Sea by Jill Townsend Big Band
Friday, 30 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
If you have ever been to Canada, you know just how beautiful the country really is. With its stunning landscape and those long cold winters, jazz music is probably the f…
26 Jul
Trees by Midiri Brothers Sextet
Monday, 26 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
In the last fifteen years, the Midiri Brothers have performed at the Rainbow Room in New York City, the Taj Mahal, Sands, Showboat and Caesars casinos in Atlantic City a…
24 Jul
Tommy Newsome and his Octo-Pussycats by Tommy Newsome
Saturday, 24 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
I have always listened to Tommy Newsome back in the days of the Johnny Carson show. The quiet man with a most powerful band. Every time I saw a new player on that show, pla…
24 Jul
Night Owl Suite by Mike Tomaro & The Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, 24 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Big band music was the pop music of that era and the emphasis was on dancing. After their gigs, players who wanted outlets for their creativity headed for small group jam s…
21 Jul
Two Different Days by Rob Parton's Jazztech Big Band
Wednesday, 21 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Two Different Days is the latest and in my opinion, the best of Rob Parton's Jazztech Big Band CDs. The music is straight ahead modern big band style. Performed by…
16 Jul
Life is a game by The Jive Aces
Friday, 16 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Wow, what a great album the new album of the Jive Aces.Which kick start the album very brightly "Jive, Jive, Jive Aces" very good opening tune!"start, change and stop" also…
12 Jul
Setting the Pace by George Gee Big Band
Monday, 12 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Who can argue the wonders of a seventeen piece big band swinging to the music of mostly Frank Foster? There is exuberance, polish, style and charm to this music. As Frank F…
08 Jul
The Unlikely Event by UNI Jazz Band One 2003-2004
Thursday, 08 July 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Peter Erskine, the guest artist on this excellent CD, describes the jazz program at the University of Northern Iowa as a "true model of everything that's good about music e…
30 Jun
The Jazz Project Salutes Stan Kenton by Don Scaletta
Wednesday, 30 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It's refreshing to hear a band do a tribute to a luminary such as Stan Kenton, & not sound like a 'ghost band.' It's all here: great arrangements, superb players, dynamics,…
19 Jun
The Illustrious Clarinetists Of Jazz: 1927-1949 by Various Artists
Saturday, 19 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Albums likely to excite music historians aren't always apt to satisfy general music listener. Many early recordings fail to measure up, both in terms of fidelity and musici…
18 Jun
Arlen to Arlen: A Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen by Sam Arlen
Friday, 18 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
This is a memorable listening experience, a tribute to the best-known songs of composer Harold Arlen. Arlen's son, well-known saxophonist Sam Arlen, leads the big band soun…
09 Jun
Good Time Blues by Count Basie
Wednesday, 09 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Fans of the big Basie band are pleased. Pablo Records has seen fit to release a concert from Basie’s 15th European tour in 1970. Special arrangements were made to accommoda…
05 Jun
Give It One by Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, 05 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Dan McMillion and I first heard Maynard Ferguson play when we were young and we were impressed! My introduction to Maynard was at the Snowdon Theater in Montreal during WWI…
02 Jun
Arlen Plays Arlen by Sam Arlen
Wednesday, 02 June 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Tied to an era, & performed such........Lush, Haunting, Expressive,Poignant, Moving, Touching, Magical......with all the accoutrements to assure a viable CD project.......S…
27 May
The Jaywalker by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
Thursday, 27 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Music was Duke's mistress and this liaison lasted from the twenties until his death in 1974. The result was an output of over 1000 tunes and 1500 arrangements. He composed …
26 May
No Funny Hats by Buddy Rich
Wednesday, 26 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
September 30, 2004 would have marked the 87th birthday of one of the finest drummers ever to grace a jazz stage. PBS producer, Ron Della Chiesa refers to Rich as "th…
21 May
It's Been So Long by Brooks Tegler
Friday, 21 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
One hears straight up all the wonderful artistic shoulders jazz drummer Brooks Tegler has stood on over the years, as you peruse his new disc. Plus, Brooks offers his perso…
11 May
Settin The Pace by The George Gee Big Band: Plays The Music of Frank Foster
Tuesday, 11 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Outstanding (Period)Few times ever do I get excited about a project right out of the jewel case but it can happen and did. The George Gee Big Band along with GJazz Recor…
05 May
Get Well Soon by Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra
Wednesday, 05 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Bob Brookmeyer and the New Art Orchestra have recorded their third CD for Challenge Records, and even though Brookmeyer has been working with the NAO for a couple decades n…
03 May
Live at MCG featuring Kurt Elling by Bob Mintzer Big Band
Monday, 03 May 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
From the first note, the Bob Mintzer Big Band swings with a groove that’s sure to make the listener wish he were there for the live performance.Live at MCG with Speci…
26 Apr
The Way: Music of Slide Hampton by Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Monday, 26 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Every bit a New York institution as say, the Yankees, Carnegie Hall or better yet, the falafel the Vanguard Orchestra has been a regular fixture at the swank Village Vangua…
26 Apr
Featuring Tori by Swing Feeling
Monday, 26 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Swing Feeling is not a typical modern "bigband." Modeled loosely on bands of the 1930s, like Al Cooper’s Savoy Sultans, the band is a compromise between typical big …
24 Apr
Oasis by Mike Longo and the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensem
Saturday, 24 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
All of the compositions are written for 17 pieces with some personnel changes on the various tunes."Bag Of Bones" is an ode to Milt Jackson and features a solid alto sol…
22 Apr
Settin The Pace by George Gee Big Band
Thursday, 22 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Count Basie’s legacy gets an uplift here with bandleader George Gee’s latest effort featuring his seventeen-piece orchestra. The Count’s one time musical director and saxop…
20 Apr
Thought Trains by Mike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 20 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Mike Holober is a versatile composer and THOUGHT TRAINS showcases his remarkable talents in many different ways. This collection of original work will stimulate the jazz au…
19 Apr
1939 Brunswick and Columbia Recordings, The by Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra
Monday, 19 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Talk about bad timing, bad luck, and bad choices. Jack Teagarden (1905-1964), one of the greatest-ever jazz trombonists, was active since the 1920s, swingin' with such icon…
18 Apr
One Day With Lee by Mark Masters Ensemble
Sunday, 18 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Lee Konitz is a living legend of jazz. He was one of the few alto saxophonists who found enough stylistic distinction to survive the wake of Charlie "Bird" Parker’s tidal w…
11 Apr
Flying Dream by Gordon Lee and the GLeeful Big Band
Sunday, 11 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Gordon Lee's Flying Dream is more pretentious than it is good. However, since it strikes me as very pretentious, that means there is still plenty of room for it to b…
11 Apr
Blues In Orbit by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Sunday, 11 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
In the late 1950s, the Space Race was in full flower, for it was writ large: "They who control the heavens, control the world," or words to that effect. With that, and the …
08 Apr
Live at MCG with Special Guest Kurt Elling by Bob Mintzer Big Band
Thursday, 08 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
A diverse yet intense manipulation of sound and composition best illustrates the critique of Mintzer’s first live recording, Bob Mintzer Big Band "Live at MCG with Special …
07 Apr
33.3333333333333 by The Frank & Joe Show
Wednesday, 07 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The Frank and Joe Show are a consciously tongue-in-cheek "throwback" to an era where jazz musicians were entertainers (and not ashamed of it), before the phrase "Serious Ar…
02 Apr
Shout Sisters Shout! by The Boswell Sisters
Friday, 02 April 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The Boswell Sisters (Connie, Martha and Helvetia) were a vocal trio of true sisters whose recording career started in 1925. As a jazz group they weren’t particularly ground…
24 Mar
Watts at Scotts by Charlie Watts Tentet
Wednesday, 24 March 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
I was just sitting down to review Watts at Scott's, Charlie Watts' excellent new 2-CD set recorded live with his tentet at Charlie Scott's Jazz Club in London, when …
16 Mar
Jammin at Bridgewater by Midiri Brothers Sextet
Tuesday, 16 March 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Jammin' reflects the Midiri brothers' "authentic yet creative" approach to the music of Benny Goodman. It's the fifth release by the these talented twins. Paul, whose instr…
13 Mar
Live At MCG With Special Guest Kurt Elling by Bob Mintzer Big Band
Saturday, 13 March 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Bob Mintzer’s Live At MCG is an exceptional big band CD. Superlatives lose their meaning when they’re used too freely, and thus are used sparingly. But Mintzer’s big…
10 Mar
Live at Birdland by Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East
Wednesday, 10 March 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Scott Whitfield is multi-talented. He teaches, composes, arranges, sings and plays great trombone. Whitfield's vocals have been heard with many groups including the Pied Pi…
22 Jan
Meets Manhattan Swing In a Basie Mood by Donnie O'Brien
Thursday, 22 January 2004
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It has always been my opinion that Clark Terry’s 1957 album Duke With a Difference was the greatest "tribute" recording ever made. That old Riverside LP still rests …