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Tony Kadleck Big Band: Tony Kadleck Big Band: Around the Horn
ByHow does that broad experience play out in a big-band environment? In this case, quite well indeed. Kadleck, as it turns out, is a longtime admirer of large ensembles who has always looked forward to leading one of his own but waited until he was ready. The ten arrangements herein unwrapped are of uniformly high quality, encompassing songs by composers as diverse as Legrand, John Scofield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Cannonball Adderley, Leonard Bernstein, Antonio Carlos Jobim and the late saxophonist Michael Brecker (on whose panoramic "African Skies" his brother, trumpeter Randy Brecker, appears as guest soloist). Adderley's Basie-like "Wabash," which should be heard more often, is a special delight, an irrepressible charmer with solos to match by pianist Mike Holober and altos David Mann and Aaron Heick. Kadleck, who leads the exemplary trumpet section on seven numbers, is a dazzling soloist (on trumpet and flugel) on Legrand's exquisite ballad, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"
There are some heavy back-beats on Scofield's "Green Tea" and Gaye's "What's Going On," which drummer Dave Ratajczak and the rhythm section master with ease. While Wonder isn't known as a jazz writer, he could well be if his engaging themes, "Creepin'" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," were used to gauge his proficiency. Bernstein's ardent "One Hand, One Heart" (from the Broadway blockbuster West Side Story) precedes Jobim's lyrical "Look to the Sky" and the Tommy Dorsey evergreen "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," which closes the album on an exhilarating note. And speaking of notes, other soloists of note include alto Andy Snitzer, trombonists Michael Davis and Keith O'Quinn, tenor Jason Rigby, clarinetist Charles Pillow, guitarist Pete McCann and pianist Henry Hey.
Superb band, admirable charts, persuasive soloists. In the words of Ira Gershwin, who could ask for anything more? Except, that is, for more of the same.
Track Listing
Green Tea; Creepin’; African Skies; What’s Going On; Wabash; How Do You Keep the Music Playing?; Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing; One Hand, One Heart; Look to the Sky; I’m Getting Sentimental Over You.
Personnel
Tony Kadleck
trumpet(Collective) — Tony Kadleck: leader, arranger, trumpet; Jon Owens: trumpet; James de la Garza: trumpet; John Bailey: trumpet; Darryl Shaw: trumpet; Alex Norris: trumpet; Dylan Schwab: trumpet; Aaron Heick, Andy Snitzer, David Mann, Charles Pillow, Jason Rigby, Janelle Reichman, Dave Reikenberg, Kenny Berger: saxophones; Michael Davis: trombone; Keith O’Quinn: trombone; John Wheeler: trombone; Randy Andos: trombone; Pete McCann: guitar; Henry Hey: piano; Mike Holober: piano; David Finck: bass; Dave Ratajczak: drums; Mike Berkowitz: drums; Meyer Horn: percussion; Dan Rieser: percussion. Special guest soloist – Randy Brecker: trumpet (3).
Album information
Title: Tony Kadleck Big Band: Around the Horn | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced
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