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The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Up Your Brass
by Jack Bowers
Sound the trumpets! Dan McMillion’s explosive Florida–based Jazz Orchestra is back with another colorful scrapbook of straight–ahead big–band Jazz sketched in the image of his main men, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman (if one must have role models he may as well choose the best). McMillion’s Maynard–like high–note trumpet, which produces sparks throughout the album, is showcased most prominently on four songs from the Ferguson library, “Spirit of St. Frederick,” “Maria,” “People” and “Gonna Fly Now” (a.k.a. “Theme ...
Continue ReadingThe Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Got the Spirit
by Jack Bowers
Remember those electrifying big bands of 40 or so years ago presided over by peerless high–note trumpeter Maynard Ferguson? Thought you’d heard the last of them? Wrong! The remarkable MF sound lives on, thanks to another outstanding trumpeter, Dan McMillion, and his brawny Florida–based Jazz Orchestra, who’ve definitely got the “Maynard Ferguson spirit” on this, their third album (and first for Sea Breeze Records). McMillion makes no secret of the fact that Maynard is his trumpet–playing hero and role model ...
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