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Doug MacDonald: Big Band Extravaganza
ByMacDonald has certainly made the most of his inaugural enterprise, enlisting a number of the Los Angeles area's leading jazz musicians to bring his splendid compositions and arrangements to life. The incomparable Carl Saunders is in the trumpet section, the irrepressible tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard and ingenious alto saxophonist Kim Richmond among the reeds, while the rhythm section (Chuck Berghofer on bass; Paul Kreibich on drums; Bill Cunliffe and Andy Langham sharing keyboard duties) could not be in better hands. At the center of it all is MacDonald who not only enhances the rhythm but solos admirably on all but one number.
The orchestra comes out swinging on "Toluca Lake Jazz," which, if it isn't based on Ray Noble's "Cherokee," should be. The animated solos are by MacDonald, Richmond and trombonist Ivan Malespin. The tempobut not the heatslackens on "Rashomon," which features Richmond, MacDonald and baritone saxophonist Tim McKay. Saunders takes a typically jaw- dropping solo on the bluesy "Luces Azules," with others by MacDonald, Berghofer, tenor saxophonist Glen Berger and an unnamed trombonist. MacDonald is showcased on the easy-going "Aventura en Triadas," after which Woodard takes the first of his three solos (with MacDonald and trumpeter Aaron Janik) on "Desert Jazz," an old-school swinger that is nowhere near as arid as the name suggests.
Cunliffe, MacDonald, and Alex Budman on alto saxophone are the soloists on the impassioned "Luz de Amor," Woodard, MacDonald and Langham on the groovy "De Ha," Woodard by himself on the lone standard, the Gershwin brothers' "But Not for Me." MacDonald, Langham, Kreibich and trombonist Les Benedict sparkle on the shuffling, trombone-centered "Minor Mess," MacDonald, Saunders and Cunliffe on the breezy and swinging finale, "Ya Know Bill." For those who may have forgotten how big bands used to excite their audiences, here is a timely reminder, courtesy of the ever-adventurous Doug MacDonald and his remarkable Jazz Orchestra.
Track Listing
Toluca Lake Jazz; Rashomon; Luces Azules; Aventura en Triadas; Desert Jazz; Luz de Amour; De Ha; But Not for Me; Minor Mess; Ya Know Bill.
Personnel
Doug MacDonald
guitarMike Campagna
trumpetDan Fornero
trumpetAaron Janik
trumpetCarl Saunders
trumpetKim Richmond
saxophoneAlex Budman
fluteRickey Woodard
saxophoneGlen Berger
woodwindsTim McKay
saxophone, baritoneIra Nepus
tromboneLes Benedict
tromboneIvan Malespin
tromboneRich Bullock
trombone, bassBill Cunliffe
pianoAndy Langham
pianoChuck Berghofer
bass, acousticPaul Kreibich
drumsAlbum information
Title: Big Band Extravaganza | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced
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Doug MacDonald
Album Review
Jack Bowers
Big Band Extravaganza
Self Produced
Carl Saunders
Rickey Woodard
Kim Richmond
Chuck Berghofer
Paul Kreibich
Bill Cunliffe
Andy Langham
Ivan Malespin
Tim McKay
Glen Berger
Aaron Janik
Alex Budman
Les Benedict