Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra: Boogaloo Land

Boogaloo Land is 74 minutes of classic and contemporary big band music with a couple of nostalgic pieces thrown in. The music begins with Kennedy and Carr's "South Of The Border," which is the other number with vocals from the band. "Turkish Delight" and the title tune, "Boogaloo Land," are two Scott Cowan charts with nifty solos from various members of the band. Slide Hampton's "Antoine" is one of those tailor-made big band pieces that I play often. Ellington's "Caravan" is a bit long at almost nine minutes, but does include fine solo performances from Don Kramlich (piano), Fred Glesnes (tenor), and Doug Pierce (trumpet).

"Hope Rising" surely does exactly that in a loud brass-infused chart with an excellent solo from trumpeter Chris Lawrence, followed by a burst from the sax of Rodney Glover in an all-around fine progressive/contemporary mode. The whole band comes together on the swinging ensemble piece "Things To Come," from Lawrence's muted horn to Kramlich's piano runs. The band plays with gusto and force on "Little Rootie Tootie" and "Blues In Hoss' Flat." The familiar "Sing, Sang, Sung" showcases the fiery talents of guitarist Bret Farkas and drummer Chris Early.

Boogaloo Land distinguishes this ensemble from other college orchestras in that it provides a great deal of space and opportunity for individual players to show their stuff. The album is replete with inspired solos from three to four different instruments per cut. With an interesting program of music that touches various spectra of the big band genre, Boogaloo Land qualifies as an extra credit performance in my grade book.

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