Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » H2 Big Band: It Could Happen
H2 Big Band: It Could Happen
ByTo be fair (and accurate), one other member of the "regular" H2 Big Band is in the lineup: alto saxophonist Rich Chiaraluce who does his best to keep pace with trumpeter par excellence Carl Saunders on the memorable Johnny Burke / Jimmy van Heusen standard "It Could Happen to You," from which the album derives its name. Hanson wrote all the charts, and they are as bright and engaging as any big-band arrangements you're likely to encounter. He also composed three of the album's conclusive instrumental highlights"C.P. You," "Lynda B" and "B in C." The full band performs on eight tracks, smaller groups on the other three. A string section is added on "The Look of Love" and "Autobiography."
Even with so many thoroughbreds in the stable, the leaders apparently felt the band needed some extra horsepower (not true), so the well-known vocalist Rene Marie was enlisted to lend her talents to four numbers: Burt Bacharach / Hal David's "The Look of Love" and three of her own compositions, "Black Lace Freudian Slip," "I Like You" and "Autobiography." She's fine, in an unpretentious sort of way; enunciates clearly, respects a lyric and sings on-key. Rene Marie fares best on the fast-paced "I Like You," perhaps because it's the most charming of the four tunes on which she appears (enriched by Hanson's sharp arrangement). The "C.P." in Hanson's "C.P. You" is Cole Porter, the song his variation on Porter's standard "All of You." "Lynda B" is Hanson's salute to comic artist Lynda Barry, the bluesy "B in C" a tune originally written in the key of B but, Hanson notes, "a lot easier to play in C." The closing number is yet another high spot: Hanson's superb arrangement of the standard "You Go to My Head," with solo to match by alto Gary Foster.
Hanson, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Joe La Barbera comprise an unflagging rhythm section, and there are inspired solos along the way by Hood (featured on Jeff Jenkins' "Healing Hymn"), trombonists Andy Martin and Bob McChesney, tenors Rob Lockart and Brandon Fields, trumpeter Ron Stout and guitarist Larry Koonse. Even without their "regular" band, co-leaders Hanson and Hood have produced another unequivocal winner. Could they do any less? It Could Happen, but don't bet on it.
Track Listing
Hocus Pocus; Black Lace Freudian Slip; C.P. You; The Look of Love; It Could Happen to You; The Healing Hymn; I Like You; Lynda B; B in C; Autobiography; You Go to My Head.
Personnel
Jeff Tower: conductor; Al Hood: co-leader, trumpet, flugelhorn; Dave Hanson: co-leader, piano, synthesizer; Wayne Bergeron: trumpet; Carl Saunders: trumpet; Ron Stout: trumpet; Gary Foster: alto sax, flute, clarinet; Rich Chiaraluce: alto sax, flute; Rob Lockart: tenor sax, flute; Brandon Fields: tenor sax, flute; Adam Schroeder: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Bob Sheppard: saxophones (1); Andy Martin: trombone; Bob McChesney: trombone; Alex Iles: trombone; Bill Reichenbach: bass trombone; Larry Koonse: guitar (3, 4, 9, 10); Chuck Berghofer: bass; Joe LaBarbera: drums; Luis Conte: percussion (4). Strings (tracks 4, 10) – Robert Peterson: violin; Jerry Hilera: violin; Ed Persi: viola; John Acosta: cello. Special Guest – Rene Marie: vocals (2, 4, 7, 10).
Album information
Title: It Could Happen | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Origin Records