University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble: Dialogues

Bill Holman’s "No Joy in Mudville" finds the band passing the melody from section to section and opening windows for brief solo spurts. Pianist Nathan Cole backs Don Steins’ baritone saxophone solo and the band trades fours with drummer Jamie Podojil, but the real burner is a creative trombone solo spot from David Ashley. Bob Florence’s "Tenors, Anyone?" features the stand-up saxophone voices of Corey Lareau and Bryan Murray in an up-tempo stroll through the park. As with the scenery of a landscaped public recreation area, the band changes mood throughout Florence’s piece, from laid-back and easy-going to somewhat fiery and snake-bitten. "Joyous Reunion," by Ernie Watts with pianist David Witham, brings two of Osland’s best soloists together for back-to-back carefree improvisation. Murray and Ashley provide a needed spark; the tenor saxophonist is especially free and imaginative in his approach. Don Menza’s "Blues for Uncommon Kids" allows the band some freedom of exp! ression through its drum breaks, tempo changes, wah-wah brass phrasing, and rambling solos from trumpeter Josh Thompson and trombonist Ashley. It’s a comfortable blues walk, as the band feels its way through the arrangement and learns its lessons one step at a time.

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