The Big Head by Ballin' The Jack

06 Feb

Written by Mark Keresman
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NYC-based reed whizkid Matt Darriau's mob Ballin' The Jack has done it again - that is, paying tribute to the 20s/30s works of Duke Ellington in a vibrant, slightly irreverent & entirely non-nostalgic fashion. The Big Head is full of growling, vocalized brass, ethereal wailing reeds & joyous, stompin' swing.

This time 'round they've covered some non-Duke tunes, rendered in the Ducal Manner: a slightly surreal, madly driving take on Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven" and the bop-in-The Time Tunnel version of Gene Ammons' "Jug (Dexter Digs In)." There's a few originals mixed in, like Darriau's free-tinged "Tapped Out." Throughout, The Spirit Of The Duke oversees the proceedings, but there's hints of the irrepressible stomp of Jimmie Lunceford and the pointed, quirky arrangements of Carla Bley & 70s/80s Gil Evans. Oh yeah, the ghost of Miles stops by, too. The Big Head is a true rarity these days - it's a set of thoughtful, creative music that's also a lotta jive-free FUN.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Ballin' The Jack
CD Title: The Big Head
Genre: Big Band / Swing
Year Released: 2001
Record Label: Knitting Factory
Musicians: Matt Darriau, Andy Laster: reeds; Frank London: trumpet; Anthony Coleman: org
Label Website: -
Rating: Five Stars