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Diva: A Swingin' Life
ByFrom the first downbeat of the opening track, "What the World Needs Now," Maricle'sand the band'sswing and authority are evident. Maybe a better title for the CD would have been "No Nonsense," but I know nothing about marketing. It's always hard to pick favorites, especially on a live recording that features singers like Nancy Wilson and Marlena Shaw. The band sounds great behind Nancy Wilson on "All of Me," old war-horse or not, just flat out swinging. "Blackberry Winter," which I had never heard before, done by Marlena Shaw, is probably not much recorded because it sounds tough on a singer, but this one is haunting all the same. Of the instrumentals, two picks. One is Terry Gibbs "Blues for Hamp," the closing track in which Roxy Coss, Jennifer Krupa and Tanya Darby take hot solos to Maricle's insistent rhythmic (and vocal) prodding. For sheer beauty, it's hard to beat "The Very Thought of You," which features an absolutely gorgeous flugelhorn solo by Nadje Noorduis. I know little about her other than I could listen to her play all day. "Pennies from Heaven," which showcases Noriko Ueda and Lisa Parrott is another good one, but you have to stop somewhere.
All in all, the choice of material is perhaps a tad conservative, but that takes nothing away from some seriously impressive performances. It's been some time since I've heard Diva perform in person. This CD tells me I need to again. And soon.
Track Listing
What The World Need Now Is Love; Nothin'; All My Tomorrows; All of Me; The Very Thought of You; Pennies From Heaven; Blues Medley [Goin' To Chicago Blues; Kansas City; Every Day I Have the Blues]; Blackberry Winter; Wonder Why; Nocturne #6 Opus9, Number 2; Blues For Hamp.
Personnel
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestraSherrie Maricle
drumsSherrie Maricle: drums; Sharel Cassity: alto saxophone, flute; Karoline Strassmayer: alto saxophone (3, 4); Leigh Pilzer: alto saxophone, flute, baritone saxophone (3, 4); Kristy Norter: alto saxophone (3, 4); Janelle Reichman: clarinet, tenor saxophone (3, 4); Anat Cohen: clarinet, tenor saxophone (3, 4); Roxy Coss: tenor saxophone; Scheila Gonzalez: tenor saxophone (3, 4); Lisa Parrott: baritone saxophone; Tanya Darby: lead trumpet, Flugelhorn; Liesl Whitaker: lead trumpet (3, 4); Jami Dauber: trumpet , Flugelhorn; Barbara Laronga: trumpet (3, 4); Carol Morgan: trumpet, Flugelhorn; Nadje Noordhuis: trumpet, Flugelhorn; Deborah Weisz: trombone; Jennifer Krupa: trombone; Lori Stuntz: trombone (3, 4); Leslie Havens: bass trombone; Tomoko Ohno: piano; Chihiro Yamanaka: piano (3, 4); Noriko Ueda: bass; Nancy Wilson: vocals (3, 4); Marlena Shaw: vocals (7, 8, 9).
Album information
Title: A Swingin' Life | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: MCG Jazz
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About The DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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