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Fat Cat Big Band: Face
BySynstelien's title piece opens the music in traditional big band style, showcasing alto saxophonist Sharel Cassity, bassist Ben Meigners and pianist Jack Glottman, all of whom provide brief but tasteful solos. In tribute to Mitch Borden, owner of the historic Smalls Club, and who gave the leader his first break in New York, "Blues for Borden" kicks off in swinging fashion, drawing energy from the entire horn section. Burnished solos from all six players, among them saxophonist Stacy Dillard and trumpeter Brandon Lee, the track also features a guitar solo from Synstelien. The swing continues on such tunes as "Mommy Long Legs" and the hurried "Almost Sacha's Favorite Key," where Dillard is highlighted with a steamy tenor solo, a task he prolongs on the brisk finale, "Road Song for Stacy Dillard & Alexi David."
The ballads are short but sweet, beginning with "Love's Lost Rhapsody," and followed by the soft "Ballade of Eternal Love" and "Farewell Phoenix." No doubt the serious artist Synstelien surely is, he must possess a humorous side, as his vocal skills on "Bory-Alice" and the Latin-tinged "Mamacita Tu Es Muy Bonita" leave a lot to be desired and are, of course, forgivable if the attempt was made in jest. Notwithstanding, Face is arguably the best of the three Fat Cat Big Band recordings and Jade Synstelien's finest production to date. Offering a bit of swing and swagger, Synstelien's Fat Cat Big Band is poised to change the face of today's big band sound, where the creative energy of this outing is bound to draw attention.
Track Listing
Face; Blues for Borden; Love's Lost Rhapsody; Mommy Long Legs; Bory-Alice; Almost Sacha's Favorite Key; Ballade of Eternal Love; Mamacita Tu Es Muy Bonita; Farewell Phoenix; Road Song for Stacy Dillard & Alexi David.
Personnel
Fat Cat Big Band
band / ensemble / orchestraJade Synstelien: guitar, vocals (5, 8); Phil Stewart: drums; Ben Meigners: bass; Jack Glottman: piano; Sharel Cassity: alto saxophone; Stacy Dillard: tenor saxophone; Geoff Vidal: tenor saxophone; Tatum Greenblatt: trumpet; Brandon Lee: trumpet; Jonathan Voltzok: trombone; Max Seigel: bass trombone.
Album information
Title: Face | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Smalls Records
Comments
About Fat Cat Big Band
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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