The Dayton Jazz Orchestra: Just Playin' Around

Although not usually singled out as a hotbed of big-band jazz, Ohio boasts a number of impressive regional ensembles — the Cleveland and Columbus Jazz Orchestras, Cincinnati’s legendary Blue Wisp Big Band, and last but not least, the well-equipped Dayton Jazz Orchestra. The DJO kicks off its tenth year with a colorful new album on which, despite its unassuming title, the group is doing much more than Just Playin’ Around. To the contrary, the ensemble is dapper and businesslike, the soloists bright and earnest, especially trumpeter Al Parr and tenor saxophonist Hap Ashenfelter.

Parr is a standout on his features, Ellington’s “Portrait of Louis Armstrong” (the only one of the eleven numbers recorded live) and Monk’s “Ruby My Dear,” while Ashenfelter summons images of the great Bill Perkins on Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not” and Bill Holman’s classic arrangement of “Stompin’ at the Savoy.” Composer / arranger and former trombonist Bob Curnow gives his favorite section a couple of meaty charts to chew on — the sprightly opener, “Bone Appetit,” and stirring finale, Francis Scott Key’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Ellington is represented again by “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (solos by Parr, pianist Lars Potteiger, trombonist Noah Bellamy), son Mercer Ellington by “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be” (featuring Ashenfelter and alto Tim Pence). Rounding out the well-designed program are Juan Tizol’s “Perdido,” Frank Mantooth’s fiery arrangement of Ray Noble’s Jazz standard, “Cherokee,” and another atypical selection that works surprisingly well, John Philip Sousa’s strutting “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The DJO’s rhythm section, incited by drummer / artistic director Tom Pompei (an unerring bombardier on “Perdido”) and including pianist Potteiger and bassist Don Compton, provides a constant flow of adrenalin, with only “Savoy” lacking enough muscle and firepower to compete with other versions we’ve heard including Kenton’s. In all, a sizable measure of rewarding big-band Jazz from one of Ohio’s several bounteous stockpiles.

Contact: Dayton Jazz Orchestra, 1864 E. Lytle 5 Pts Road, Dayton, OH 45458. Phone Tom Pompei, 937-231-3687; e-mail daytonjazz [email protected]