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George Gee Swing Orchestra: Winter Wonderland
ByGee formed his first band while still in college at Carnegie Mellon University, one day after interviewing Count Basie on the campus radio station. After moving back to New York City, where he grew up, Gee formed the Swing Orchestra in 1990. Besides touring the world and recording eight albums prior to this one, the orchestra has had a regular gig at New York's SWING46 ever since.
Personnel has changed over the years but Gee's formula hasn't: find a compatible set of tunes, old or new, and simply make 'em swing. Even though most of the songs on Winter Wonderland have been around for more than a few years (and some for more than a century or three), they are no exception to that rule. The orchestra (actually a nonet with vocalist) comes out swinging on "Winter Wonderland (Mambo)!" and rarely pauses for breath through the last notes of "Jingle Bells."
In between are upbeat readings of the traditional classics "What Child Is This," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "O Tannenbaum," pleasing vocals by John Dokes on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "The Christmas Song" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?," and one vocal duet (Dokes and Hilary Gardner) on Frank Loesser's risque favorite, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Even at slower tempos the ensemble maintains a swinging persona, thanks to clever arrangements by music director and trombonist David Gibson.
Gibson is one of the orchestra's first-class soloists, with other sharp statements along the way courtesy of trumpeters Freddie Hendrix and Andy Gravish, alto Anthony Nelson Jr., tenor Michael Hashim, baritone Patience Higgins and pianist Steve Einerson. Of course, any band that lays claim to swing must have an alert, hard-working rhythm section, and Gee has that base covered with Einerson, bassist Malik McLaurine and drummer Chris Latona firing on all cylinders.
Gee has always loved swing, and has built his pocket-sized orchestra with that in mind. While Winter Wonderland may not be a touchstone, there can be no doubt that it swingswhich to its leader is the whole idea. Long live swing and long live the George Gee Swing Orchestra.
Track Listing
Winter Wonderland Mambo; What Child Is This?; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; I’ll Be Home for Christmas; Baby, It’s Cold Outside; The Christmas Song; O Tannenbaum; What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?; Jingle Bells.
Personnel
George Gee
composer / conductorFreddie Hendrix
trumpetAndy Gravish
trumpetAnthony E Nelson, Jr.
saxophoneMichael Hashim
saxophone, sopraninoPatience Higgins
saxophone, tenorDavid Gibson
tromboneSteve Einerson
pianoMalik McLaurine
bass, acousticChristopher Latona
drumsJohn Dokes
vocalsHilary Gardner
vocalsEddie Pazant
saxophone, altoTony Lustig
saxophone, baritoneMarcus McLaurine
bassWillard Dyson
drumsAlbum information
Title: Winter Wonderland | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Published
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About George Gee Swing Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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