Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble One: Glimmer of Night & Day

Their second album for the Sea Breeze label, Glimmer of Night & Day by the Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble One, is every bit as good as their 1998 Grammy-nominated debut,Seein' the Light...Hearin' the Hub-Tones. Though the Jazz Studies program at the West Texas city of Lubbock-based university is now under the direction of renowned saxophonist Brad Leali, this recording took place with Professor Alan Shinn at the helm.

Featuring Austin jazz legend Tony Campise on sax, flute and vocals, and special guest pianist Paul English, the project was recorded in 2000, listing a personnel of twenty-one students in the advanced ensemble class. Shinn dedicates the album to the memory of saxophonist Adam Coffman, who had just finished his freshman year at the completion of this recording when he, his wife and sister- in law were tragically killed in an auto accident in August of 2004.

With compositions from Leonard Bernstein, Thelonious Monk, Anthony Newley and Kim Richmond, Campise steals the limelight with the Eric Richards arrangement of Cole Porter's signature, "Night and Day. Opening up in a flurry of woodwinds, Campise voices those familiar lyrics, giving way to trombonist Chris Anderson and pianist Eduardo Alcayaga before reengaging with a soprano solo of his own, and superlative scatting to finish a terrific rendition of an old classic.

Campise contributes one composition, the Southern blues of "Continental Divide, providing more vocals and a bluesy solo on tenor, while English plays back-up along with guitarist Rocky Green. The guest combo performs together once again on Newley's "Who Can I Turn To, as the band turns in one terrific performance after another.

Though Campise adds bass flute and baritone solos on other tracks, he is by no means the only one holding center stage. There are numerous solos from the student cast that make this album a pleasure to hear. Aside from those already mentioned, drummer Daniel Sanchez, trombonists Jason McIntyre and Brad Scheele, trumpeters Adam Duc and Brian Rohde, saxophonists Chris Taft and Sean Frankhouser, all contribute stellar solos throughout.

Shinn delivers a parting gift to the Texas Tech University Jazz Studies program with an impressive big band recording that provides much more than a flickering Glimmer of light, shining a message that is as clear and distinct as "Night and Day.