Ben Patterson: Groove Junkies

When it comes to big-band recordings, commitment and enthusiasm can go a long way toward assuring success. Those benchmarks are fully displayed on Groove Junkies, the third album by trombonist Ben Patterson's Washington, DC-based Jazz Orchestra. While Patterson's compositions and arrangements are not exactly straight ahead—there's an ample measure of funk, back beats and electronic effects to reinforce the customary brass/winds/rhythm—they are never less than animated or intriguing.

The groove is invariably up-tempo—there's nary a ballad on the menu—and the orchestra, several of whose members were enlisted from the superb armed forces bands in the DC area (especially The Airmen of Note), digs in hard to make the bill of fare bright and palatable. As noted, Patterson wrote and arranged every number. The ensemble comes out swinging on the well-named "Exclamation" and seldom pauses for breath until after the last shout chorus on the lively, somewhat Latinized "Espiritu Valiente."

Sandwiched between are "Interesting Times," "The Way of the Groove," "Stank Face" and "Cheese Hat"—every one a flat-out swinger that makes generous use of electronic enhancements, fascinating rhythms and robust percussion as well as the standard saxophones, trumpets and trombones, including Patterson's (he solos on "Interesting Times" and "The Way of the Groove"). Other soloists, each of whom, needless to say, is squarely "in the groove," are tenor Tedd Baker and pianist Chris Ziemba ("Exclamation"); alto Antonio Orta ("Interesting Times"); trumpeter Alec Aldred and guitarist Shawn Purcell ("Way of the Groove"); Purcell, trumpeter Luke Brandon and percussionist Xavier Perez ("Stank Face"); Baker and bassist Paul Henry ("Cheese Hat"), Orta and trombonist Kevin Cerovich ("Espiritu Valiente").

With so many of America's finest in the starting lineup, the orchestra could not be less than efficient, the soloists earnest and eloquent. Even so, it is Patterson's impressive charts that make the engine hum. He has a way of seizing any diverse groove and enriching its intrinsic charm. While Groove Junkies may not be every jazz enthusiast's cup of tea, Patterson has set a handsome table and invites everyone to join the rollicking party.

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