Jazz Articles about Dan McMillion

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Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Nice N' Juicy

by Robert J. Robbins
October 5, 2009

For over a decade, brass master Dan McMillion, an alumnus of the Woody Herman and Buddy Rich ensembles, has been maintaining the legacy of Maynard Ferguson to a very high standard in the Central Florida region, winning a Grammy nomination for Up Your Brass (Sea Breeze, 2002). This sixth release--dedicated to the memory of McMillion's wife Lillian, who passed away earlier this year--continues in this vein, with McMillion fronting a fifteen-piece band consisting of some of the finest musical talents ...

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Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: High Octane

by Edward Blanco
August 27, 2007

From the moment you slip the disc into the CD player and let it play, you quickly realize there's no need to adjust the volume as the music soars from Dan McMillion's high-pitched trumpet, reminiscent of the late, great trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. In fact, High Octane is dedicated to the memory of the late master of which McMillion was an ardent admirer and disciple.

The title of the album could not be more apropos, for the music thunders throughout the ...

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The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Give It One

by Jack Bowers
December 12, 2004

Much like its predecessors, Dan McMillion's fifth album as leader of his central Florida-based Jazz Orchestra offers more straight-ahead swinging inspired by fellow trumpeter Maynard Ferguson's electrifying big bands of the '60s, ably performed by an ensemble comprised of earnest young musicians who don't hold anything back.

Among the eleven selections are two co-written by Maynard ("Give It One," “Footpath Café") and at least four others that are closely associated with the incomparable monarch of the high C's, including Joe ...

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Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Give It One

by Jim Santella
November 22, 2004

Soaring high above his powerful big band, trumpeter Dan McMillion thrills his audience with contemporary action and a hard-hitting wallop. His title track, a burner written by Maynard Ferguson with Alan Downey, drives the band exuberantly in a fit of passion. The band puts goose bumps on your arms and sets your feet and hands in rhythmic motion, as McMillion pours it on forcefully.

Ballads and up-tempo romps give the program variety. The leader's powerful trumpet solos reach ...