Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Got the Spirit

171

Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Got the Spirit

By

Sign in to view read count
Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Got the Spirit
With two CDs already under his belt, Dan McMillion continues to come up with interesting arrangements, outstanding ensemble playing and solo playing that is definitely first rate. Led by the Maynard Ferguson influenced, upper stratosphere and melodic trumpet of leader McMillion, the group whips through a play list of eleven classic pop tunes and jazz compositions.

Since this is concert big band, as distinguished from music for dancing, there is a lot more room for challenging charts. That is demonstrated by "Closing Time at the Engine Room Bar", one of the premier tracks, which features solos from several band members. With more than ten minutes of exciting modern music, the cut kicks off with heavy duty sax ensemble playing with the song's composer Butch Evans' baritone sax rolling out those low notes establishing the floor for the rest of the group. There's a high-flying trumpet solo on this cut by McMillion. Also given ample time in the spotlight are Joe Porter, Jeff Jordan, Richard Drexler and Roger Delillo. A favorite of big bands, "Just Friends", is given a fresh look with a telling trombone solo by Keith Oshiro. McMillion brings out the superbone which was designed by Ferguson, for a go at "The Lamp Is Low". To find out more about the superbone, go to www.gleblanc.com/instrumentpages/ trombone/ tromhtml/TR395.html. The group goes on to show that it loses nothing when taking on big band bop as it whirls through Oliver Nelson's "Groove". McMillion ends the session with a tender solo on "What's New".

Well-constructed dynamic charts played by a well-rehearsed company of top rank players has given birth to almost an hour of solid, entertaining big band music. Visit the band's home page at http://members.aol.com/ghbigband.

Track Listing

Groove; Just Friends; Got the Spirit; Knarf; It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing; Closing Time at the Engine Room Bar; The Meaning of the Blues; A Country Boy; I Remember Clifford; The Lamp Is Low; What's New

Personnel

Dan McMilion - Leader/Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Superbone; Chad Shoopman, John Lombard, Andy Reese, Cameron Perett - Trumpet; Roger Delillo, Keith Oshiro, Chris Price, Jim Hall - Trombone; Valerie Gillespie, Jeff Hall, Jennifer Mazziotti - Alto Sax; Jeff Jordan, Kim Bock, Dave Eckman - Tenor Sax; Butch Evans - Baritone Sax; Richard Drexler - Piano; Chuck Parr - Latin Percussion/Drums; Joe Porter - Bass

Album information

Title: Got the Spirit | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.