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Ryan Haines Big Band: New Horizons
ByHaines revitalizes the zesty big band sounds of a bygone era (think Benny Goodman) with "Swing Open, spotlights the band's lower register with "Bottom End Shuffle, narrates an amorous and inviting "Goodnight Story and cooks up a saucy helping of "Pan-Fried Doodles. Besides writing, the leader unveils his awesome chops on "Doodles," the bouncy "New Horizons and rapid-fire "No Harm, No Foul, on which he duels with volatile tenor saxophonist Tedd Baker.
"A Problem with the Sun was inspired by a scene in the comic western Rustlers' Rhapsody where a group of gunmen make excuses for missing their target, one of which is "there's a definite problem with the sun. Haines' other composition, "Without You (on which his trombone is prominently featured), is a charming samba dedicated, as is the album itself, to the memory of his late nephew, Matthew David Haines.
To carry out his plan, Haines has assembled a close-knit ensemble comprised almost exclusively of top-notch musicians from a pair of the country's leading service bands, the Air Force Airmen of Note (brass, reeds, bassist Paul Henry) and US Army Blues (pianist Tony Nalker, guitarist Jim Roberts, drummer Steve Fidyk), thus averting any unwelcome missteps. Besides Haines and Baker (who is showcased on "America the Beautiful ), the roster of persuasive soloists includes Fidyk, alto Andy Axelrad and trumpeter Tim Leahey ("Swing Open ), Nalker ("Without You ), baritone Doug Morgan ("Bottom End Shuffle, with Haines on bass trombone), Roberts, Leahey, trumpeter Rich Sigler ("Problem with the Sun ), Sigler and alto Lucas Munce ("Doodles ). Haines plays a larger-bore trombone on "Goodnight Story, calling to mind the high-register acrobatics of Bill Watrous. Brian MacDonald (six tracks) and Kevin Burns take turns leading the powerful trumpet section.
Despite some minor lapses in balance, the recorded sound is commendable, helping to make these New Horizons delightful places to visit and spend some time. As Haines says in the liner notes, "Enjoy the journey! But be sure to fasten your seat beltthere's some turbulence along the way.
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Track Listing
New Horizons; Swing Open; Without You; Bottom End Shuffle; A Problem With the Sun; Pan-Fried Noodles; Goodnight Story; No Harm, No Foul; America the Beautiful.
Personnel
Ryan Haines: tenor trombone, bass trombone, leader; Lucas Munce, Andy Axelrod: alto saxophone, flute; Tedd Baker, Dave Stump: tenor saxophone, flute; Doug Morgan: baritone saxophone, flute; Brian MacDonald, Kevin Burns, Rich Sigler, Tim Leahey: trumpet, flugelhorn; Jeff Margin, Ben Patterson: tenor trombone; Todd Hanson: bass trombone; Jim Roberts: guitar; Tony Nalker: piano; Paul Henry: bass; Steve Fidyk: drums.
Album information
Title: New Horizons | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
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