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Andy Farber and His Orchestra: Early Blue Evening
ByThe spirit of Ellington arises early on the bluesy opener, "Don't Tell Me What to Do," and is never more than a downbeat away thereafter. Meanwhile, guitarist James Chirillo helps keep the Basie/Freddie Green vibe flowing, especially on the easygoing "Cork Grease and Valve Oil" and groovy "Symphony for Dr. 'T.'" Flugel player Brian Pareschi is showcased on that ode to the deviant Dutch detective, alto saxophonist Godwin Louis on the lustrous "Early Blue Evening," Farber (baritone) on the heartfelt "Portrait of Joe Temperley." Farber solos on alto with pianist Adam Birnbaum on Neal Hefti's well-known "Theme from The Odd Couple," on tenor with trumpeter James Zollar and vocalist Catherine Russell on the finale, Jack King/Dorothy Parker's sensuous ballad, "How Am I to Know."
Farber's other enticing themes include the buoyant "Feet and Frames" (solos by Birnbaum, alto Mark Gross, trombonist Dion Tucker, trumpeter Bruce Harris); "The Holidaymakers" (Zollar, Birnbaum, trumpeter Alphonso Horne, trombonists Art Baron and Wayne Goodman); "Aircheck" (Birnbaumplaying Basie-style piano, tenor Lance Bryant, trumpeter Bruce Harris); and "Fanfare on Fairfax" (Chirillo, Louis, baritone Carl Maraghi, drummer Alvester Garnett). Farber leads an all-star ensemble and gives almost every star a chance to shine. The only band members who don't solo at least once are trumpeter Shawn Edmonds (who sits in for Horne on half a dozen numbers) and the rock-solid bassist Jennifer Vincent who shines in her own effective way.
The brightest star is Farber himself who manages to walk a fine line between today and yesterday without once losing his balance or striking a false note. He keeps the tempos light and the moods bright and checks all the boxes from blues to ballad, Latin to swing with ease and assurance while interweaving enough color and variety to please almost any ear. While Early Blue Evening doesn't attempt to re-create the big band era, it does serve to remind us how glorious those precious years were.
Track Listing
Don’t Tell Me What to Do; Feet and Frames; The Holidaymakers; Aircheck; Early Blue Evening; Fanfare on Fairfax; Cork Grease and Valve Oil; Portrait of Joe Temperley; Symphony for Doctor “T”; Theme from The Odd Couple; How Am I to Know?
Personnel
Andy Farber
saxophoneBrian Pareschi
trumpetBruce Harris
trumpetJames Zollar
trumpetAlphonso Horne
trumpetShawn Edmonds
trumpetMark Gross
saxophone, altoGodwin Louis
saxophoneDan Block
saxophoneLance Bryant
saxophone, tenorCarl Maraghi
saxophone, baritoneWayne Goodman
tromboneArt Baron
tromboneDion Tucker
tromboneJames Chirillo
guitarAdam Birnbaum
pianoJennifer Vincent
bass, acousticAlvester Garnett
drumsCatherine Russell
vocalsAlbum information
Title: Early Blue Evening | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: ArtistShare