John Blount Featuring Dave Tucker and the New Big Band: Better Days Ahead

The cover art on trumpeter John Blount's Better Days Ahead depicts glorious sunshine. Visually beautiful, it is most appropriate for this CD—which will probably help propel Blount, Dave Tucker and the New Big Band to great things and better days ahead.

Blount spent decades as lead trumpeter and featured soloist with the U.S. Navy's elite Commodores Big Band. He shows here that he is indeed a master of his instrument, from the mellowest lower tones to the Holy Grail of lead trumpeting—the Double High C. This is a tour de force for Blount, whose engaging sound and virtuosity solidifies his place among the best of the best.

Backed by drummer Dave Tucker—who swings and drives beautifully throughout—and A-1 musicians and soloists, Blount and his team offer a dozen excellent big band jazz selections. They range from a Hollywood movie theme ("The Bad and the Beautiful") to jazz classics (King Oliver's "West End Blues"—with Blount covering Louis Armstrong's classic solo intro—and "My One and Only Love," Allen Vizzutti's "Firedance" and John Coltrane's "Naima") to modern selections from guitarist Pat Metheny ("Better Days Ahead" and "Last Train Home"). Of particular interest was "On Green," an original with subtle shades of "On Green Dolphin Street." The arrangements are highly challenging—for example, the Supersax-style solos on "Tube of Blues" and the ensemble "scat" on "Tropicale." The charts allow the ensemble to display its wonderful swing and give its soloists ample room to stretch out with inventive solo forays—guitarist Rich Roeder in particular. All of the players shine.

The production quality is very good, certainly not an easy task with Blount, a powerhouse of sound and excitement, soaring over the ensemble. It all blends beautifully.

Better Days Ahead is an excellent example of terrific big band jazz and incredible trumpet virtuosity. Blount earns his stripes, proving he belongs in the same virtuosity "boat" as Doc Severinsen, Wayne Bergeron, Allen Vizzutti, Bobby Shew, Arturo Sandoval, and, yes, Maynard Ferguson. All aboard that's going aboard with Better Days Ahead. A most enjoyable venture.