Andy Farber and his Orchestra: This Could Be the Start of Something Big (2010)

Edward Blanco

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2005
Follow Ed along with 92 other members

Ed has been a jazz fan for 35 years and hosts a jazz radio program at WDNA 88.9 FM.

Recent articles (380 total)

Published: November 13, 2010

Andy Farber and his Orchestra: This Could Be the Start of Something Big

Composer Andy Farber writes musical scores for television commercials and movies, but This Could Be The Start of Something Big is Farber's big band debut, showcasing his talents as a multi-reed musician and bandleader. Recorded in late 2009, after a two-year stint playing every Sunday evenings at New York's famed Birdland, the album features an eighteen-piece orchestra with legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks Jon Hendricks
b.1921
vocal and veteran alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion Jerry Dodgion
b.1932 as special guests. Providing all of the arrangements, Farber produces an explosive brassy sound in a traditional big band album that incorporates elements of old-time swing.

The ensemble begins to swing on the very first piece, "Bombers," penned by the leader in tribute to Count Basie Count Basie
1904 - 1984
piano , and continues on the following "Space Suit," a new arrangement of an old 1990 Farber composition. The saxophonist dares to tackle the immortal "Body and Soul," and fares better than most, with a tender burnished tenor solo befitting this classic standard. The swing returns on the title piece, performed in grand big band style, with fire from the brass and perky vocals from Hendricks and the Jon Hendricks & Co. Singers.

Hendricks makes his other vocal appearance on "Roll' em Pete," moving and shaking the chart with some spicy scatting and lively lyrics. With all of the swing found on the disc, Farber does find time to include a softer ballad-like number on "Midnight, the Stars & You," featuring a splendid trumpet solo from Irv Grossman, Farber on flute and a post-recorded vibraphone overdub from Mark Sherman Mark Sherman
b.1957
vibraphone . Alto saxophonist Jay Brandford and trumpeter Kenny Rampton provide the fireworks on the Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk
1917 - 1982
piano tune, "52nd Street Theme," while Farber's brief "Short Yarn" delivers a gorgeous melody on a piece sure to be spun often.

The music continues with a fast-paced rendition of the George and Ira Gershwin Ira Gershwin
1896 - 1983
composer/conductor song "The Man I Love," offering the last flute solo from the leader as the repertoire starts to wind down with the Mel Brooks original from the 1977 movie High Anxiety, "Jack the Bellboy" and closes with the Loeb/Lombardo composition, "Seems Like Old Times." Producing a swinging big band sound reminiscent of the Duke Ellington Duke Ellington
1899 - 1974
piano and Count Basie Count Basie
1904 - 1984
piano bands of the past, Andy Farber and his Orchestra certainly makes a powerful big band statement with This Could Be the Start of Something Big, an appropriate title for such a striking debut.

Track Listing: Bombers; Space Suit; Body & Soul; This Could Be the Start of Something Big; It Is What It Is; Broadway; Roll' em Pete; Midnight, the Stars & You; 52nd Street Theme; Short Yarn; The Man I Love; High Anxiety; Jack the Bellboy; Seems Like Old Times.

Personnel: Andy Farber: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute; Chuck Wilson: alto saxophone; Dan Block: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jay Brandford: alto saxophone: Marc Phaneuf: tenor saxophone; Kurt Bacher: baritone saxophone; Brian Pareschi: trumpet; Irv Grossman: trumpet; Kenny Rampton: trumpet; Alex Norris: trumpet; Art Baron: trombone; Harvey Tibbs: trombone; Wayne Goodman: trombone; Max Seigal: bass trombone; Bob Grillo: guitar; Jennifer Vincent: bass; Kenny Ascher: piano; Alvester Garnett: drums; Mark Sherman: vibraphone (8); Jon Hendricks: vocals (4, 7); Jerry Dodgion: alto saxophone (6); Jon Hendricks & Company Singers.

Record Label: Black Warrior
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream