Jazz Articles about The Siena Jazz Band

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The Siena Jazz Band: Abstrutions

by Jack Bowers
February 6, 2004

Abstrutions is the second recording by Italy’s Siena Jazz Big Band, which was formed in 1994 as a part of the “Associazone Siena Jazz” school and now includes professional musicians as well as students and amateurs. The band’s earlier album, GOP, comprised of ten songs associated with Duke Ellington and seven with Cannonball Adderley, was given a lukewarm reception by this reviewer.

The band stretches more this time around, covering tunes by a diverse assortment of composers from Django Reinhardt, ...

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The Siena Jazz Band: GOP

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 2001

Klaus Lessmann, conductor of Italy’s Siena Jazz Band, leaves no doubt as to where his musical sentiments lie, as seven of the first ten selections on the band’s debut album, GOP, are associated with the peerless Duke Ellington, the last seven with the great alto saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley. Completing the program are Count Basie’s “Swingin’ the Blues,” Lester Young’s “Tickle Toe” and Ella Fitzgerald’s breakthrough hit, “A Tisket, a Tasket,” the last a curious choice for vocalist Laura Bigliazzi ...