Jazz Articles about Vince Norman

Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite

by Jack Bowers
February 5, 2023

Yes, Peter Tchaikovsky's timeless Nutcracker Suite is basically holiday music; and, yes, the 2022 holiday season is squarely in everyone's rear-view mirror. Even so, there is always room for a fresh approach to the annual festive staple, which is what drummer Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band brings to The Pan American Nutcracker Suite. The Nutcracker has been rhythmically amended before, but never quite like this, as McCarthy and the band use the strong ...

Joe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite

by Richard J Salvucci
September 29, 2022

"The Nutcracker" is a holiday staple and, as many musical and dance companies around the United States and Europe will tell you, thank Heaven for it. The musicians and performers may eventually lose their sanity from repeat performances, but the ballet is a money-maker as sure as holiday sales generate commercial profits for retailers. Besides, someone is inevitably hearing it for the first time, and children—even some adults—seem to enjoy it. This year, the season starts early with ...

Vince Norman / Joe McCarthy Big Band: Words Cannot Express

by Jack Bowers
July 24, 2007

While listening to the Norman/McCarthy Big Band's remarkable debut album, Words Cannot Express, one's thoughts are drawn inescapably toward another enormously impressive ensemble, the Mark Taylor/Steve Fidyk Big Band--and for a number of sound reasons.

Not only are both bands based in the Washington, DC area, both are co-led by a drummer (McCarthy, Fidyk), boast a superlative composer/arranger (Norman, Taylor), are well-stocked with talented sidemen from nearby Army, Air Force and Navy bases, devote much of their time and energy ...