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Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Thilo Wolf Big Band, and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra

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Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Blues Man from Memphis
Blue Canoe
2007

Blues Man From Memphis is the second CD by the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra devoted to the music of Donald Brown, who proves again that his proficiency easily outshines his prominence. Brown, whose thematic compositions are invariably engaging and always swing, frames charming lyrical portraits of siblings (Nancy, Jerome) and children (Cynthia, Donny), honors a beloved colleague (Zim Ngqawana), a hero (Malcolm X) and place (New York City), and cleverly profiles the "blues man of the album's title, saxophonist George Coleman.

The KJO, a "local ensemble with world-class talent, performs Brown's compositions with ardor and finesse, whether live (tracks 2,3,7) or in studio. Its prowess is further enhanced by the presence of three superb guest artists—saxophonist Greg Tardy, vibraphonist Stefon Harris and bassist John Clayton—each of whom lends an indispensable helping hand. Tardy delivers impressive solos on soprano ("Nancy ) and tenor ("Daddy's Girl Cynthia, "New York, "Peace For Zim ), while Harris shines on "Blues, "Theme For Malcolm, "Scenic Route, "George Coleman and "Zim, Clayton on "Donny's Heart and "George Coleman. As for Brown, his tasteful piano garnishes every track save "Theme for Malcolm (one of five charts by director/trumpeter Vance Thompson). Brown arranged "Scenic Route, Bill Mobley "Nancy and "New York.

Brown, who has been labeled "a genius by no less an authority than Wynton Marsalis, does his best to warrant the accolade, while the KJO and its guests simply do him proud. A splendid session from stem to stern.

Thilo Wolf Big Band
Big Band Shout
MDL Jazz
2007

Thilo Wolf's Big Band Shout, we are informed in the booklet, was "recorded live . . . on the occasion of taping the television production SWING IT, the only plausible response to which is "wow! One simply can't imagine a television program of this caliber on any outlet—network, cable or public—here in the States. This is for the most part the sort of uncompromising big-band jazz that hasn't graced TV screens in these parts for too many years (read: decades). And judging from the response, the German audience is clearly elated, even before Wolf welcomes his special guests: trumpeter Ray Anthony and blues/gospel singer Joan Faulkner and her backup group, the Expressions.

After four instrumentals including Cole Porter's "Easy To Love and Lester Young's "Tickletoe, Anthony, an octogenarian who has been making beautiful music for more than seventy years (and still has decent chops), enters with his signature theme, "Man With A Horn. He's front and center again on "All Of Me, "Tenderly, "It Had To Be You, "Mr. Anthony's Boogie and the strapping finale, Count Basie's venerable "One O'Clock Jump. Faulkner's showpieces include "He's Got The Whole World, "Ain't Misbehavin', "Let The Good Times Roll and "Amazing Grace. The power-laden band is beyond reproach, as are soloists Wolf, Axel Kühn, Lennart Axelsson, Norbert Nagel, Otto Staniloi, Werner Tauber and Thomas Zoller. It's a shame one has to be in Germany to see and hear music as admirable as this on television, but at least the CD is here to offer some solace.

Westchester Jazz Orchestra
All In
WJO
2007

The Westchester Jazz Orchestra, an all-star ensemble comprised of blue-chip musicians who live, play and/or teach in New York City and environs, makes its recorded debut with All In, a congenial assortment of half a dozen jazz standards, Beatle George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun (handsomely scored by artistic director Mike Holober) and Ken Berger's off-center arrangement of Joe Garland's iconic Glenn Miller theme, "In The Mood. Unlike some groups that sacrifice clarity for self-importance, the WJO keeps its eye squarely on the target, which is to create tasteful music that inspires and enlightens without pretense or condescension.

The WJO also swings, thanks in large measure to superlative charts by Berger, Holober, Tony Kadleck ("Caribbean Fire Dance"), Pete McGuinness ("Peace"), Jay Brandford ("Ping Pong"), Ed Xiques ("Room 608 ) and Mark Patterson ("Turn Out The Stars"). Bill Evans' "Stars is a showcase for pianist Ted Rosenththal, "Sun for alto saxophonist Brandford. They are two among many stellar soloists. The others are baritone saxophonist Xiques, trumpeters Marvin Stamm and Jim Rotondi, tenor saxophonists Jason Rigby and Mike Migliore, alto saxophonist David Brandom, trombonist Larry Farrell, bassist Harvie S and drummer Tony Jefferson. Kadleck and Craig Johnson share lead trumpet duties, astutely guiding the section on four numbers each. A dynamic and warmly recommended debut by a world-class orchestra.

Dean McNeill Large Jazz Ensemble
Prairie Fire
Cellar Live
2007

Dean McNeill, who teaches at the University of Saskatchewan in western Canada, brought together some of the most accomplished jazz musicians in his neighborhood to produce this emphatically bright and stylish album, which reminds one more of the spectacular aurora borealis than it does a prairie fire. And speaking of reminders, the charts—all by McNeill—summon memories of such other Canadian behemoths as Rob McConnell's Boss Brass (without the French horns) or Dave McMurdo's exemplary Jazz Orchestra. The melodies are supple and engaging, the ensemble technically adroit and rhythmically perceptive. McNeill wrote every number save guitarist Mike Rud's "For Sonny," Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me and the Cole Porter evergreens "It's All Right With Me and "All Of You.

The session opens with the opulent, chorale-like "Reflections for orchestra alone before introducing an array of admirable soloists including Rud ("Sonny ), tenor saxophonist Mark Dejong ("Vasquez, "Squeeze Me, "Gratitude ), trumpeter Brian O'Kane ("Daze, "Everyday Living"), alto saxophonist Campbell Ryga ("Daze, "Fall-In, "All Of You ), tenors Greg Gatien ("It's All Right With Me ) and Kelly Jefferson ("Daze ), trumpeters Bill Mahar ("Gratitude ) and John McLeod ("Your Absence Is Noted ), pianist Tom Van Setters ("Gratitude ) and bassist Mike Downes ("All Of You ). No one displeases, nor does the ensemble's alert and agile rhythm section (Rud, Van Setters, Downes, drummer Ted Warren). In sum, this is among the most pleasurable and rewarding contemporary big-band albums to come out of Canada—or anywhere else—in quite some time.

Gary Tole & Legends of Swing
One Kettle For Count
Summit
2007

While trombonist Gary Tole clearly loves and respects the big-band legacy, he's not hung up on warmed-over nostalgia, which is why Tole and his Legends of Swing, in the words of Sammy Nestico, "blend the best traditions of yesteryear with the musical expertise of today. To put it another way, Tole honors the spirit of the big-band era but remodels the music via well-crafted charts by Scott Whitfield, Walt Stuart, Kim Richmond, Alan Glasscock and others. The upshot is a perky studio session that is not only musically productive but swings earnestly and often.

Speaking of Nestico, Whitfield's breezy opener, "One Kettle For Count, sounds much like something Basie's former right-hand man might have written. Whitfield arranged Tole's clever "Pick Up The Pieces (based on "Sing Sing Sing and "Big Noise From Winnetka ), "Baby It's Cold Outside for vocalists Cassie Miller and Mike Costley, and "teams with Eddie Sauter on "That Did It Marie, using Sauter's chart from 1941 on the first half (with Miller subbing for Peggy Lee) and his own score on the second. Miller is also heard on "Happy Together and Richmond's arrangement of "Love For Sale, Costley on "With A Little Help from My Friends. Stuart arranged "American Bandstand Boogie, Glasscock "Flyin' Home to augment classic charts by Duke Ellington, Billy Byers, Johnny Keating and Ernie Wilkins.

The ensemble is tight, the rhythm section robust, the soloists engaging. Don Shelton (clarinet, alto sax), tenor Glenn Morrissette, guitarist Mike Higgins, pianist Bob Remstein and trumpeter Tom Marino are the "frequent flyers. Tole solos on "Someone To Watch and "I'll Never Smile Again, Whitfield (muted) on "C-Jam Blues. A happy listening experience that smartly combines ingenuity and fun.

Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble
The Point
Windstream
2007

The third time's a blast for the Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble, which puts its best foot forward on The Point for guest composer/guitarist Henry Johnson. Much as on its earlier recordings (Hour of the Pearl, Appointment in Milano), Northeastern State, which despite its name is not based in New England, as some might assume, but Tahlequah, Oklahoma, shows that it has a robust Jazz Studies program, thanks in part to the able leadership of director Arthur White.

Johnson, who has performed with an array of jazz luminaries from keyboardists Jack McDuff and Ramsey Lewis to singers Donny Hathaway and Joe Williams, wrote five of the album's eleven numbers, solos on eight, and even sings on two ("Here's To Life, "Please Send Me Someone To Love ). As a vocalist, he's competent but definitely no threat to Tony Bennett. NSU's resident guitarist, Bradley Spears, penned three numbers ("Balloon Animals, "Creating Awkward Moments, "Just A Shade ), while alto saxophonist Tracy Patterson wrote (and solos on) "Shaker Pants. Spears is the best of the ensemble's soloists, who are for the most part earnest but unassuming. The evocative alto solo on Johnson's lyrical "Blues for Art's Sake (performed by a quintet) is by director White, the tasteful piano and bass solos by guests Shane Ohlson and Mike Schmidt, respectively. Although the studio acoustics are sometimes less than favorable, the album's over-all sound is not unpleasant, and the NSU ensemble—and its guests—make the enterprise worthwhile.


Tracks and Personnel

Blues Man From Memphis

Tracks: Nancy And The Children's Playground; Blues For Brother Jerome; Theme For Malcolm; Daddy's Girl Cynthia; New York; The Scenic Route To Donny's Heart; The Thing About George Coleman; Peace For Zim.

Personnel: Vance Thompson: director, arranger (2-4,7,8); Donald Brown: composer, arranger, piano, vocal (6); Bill Mobley (1,5): arranger; Seneca Black, Michael Wyatt, Stewart Cox, Thomas Heflin, Michael Spirko, Tom Fox (2,3), Cathy Leach (8), Jonathan Swygert (8): trumpet; Mark Tucker: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; David King, Tony D'Andrea (2,3,6,7): alto saxophone, flute; Bill Scarlett, Jimmy Mann (1,4,5): tenor saxophone, clarinet; Bob Maxon: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Tom Johnson: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet; Dorothy Brown (1,6): flute; Tom Lundberg, Don Hough, Jeremy Wilson, Brad McDougall, Jeff Ramey (8): trombone; Calvin Smith, Robert Owen (1,3,6,8): horn; Sande McMorran (8): tuba; Mark Bolling (1,3,6,8): guitar; Rusty Holloway: bass; Keith Brown: drums, orchestra bells (1,6); Carlos Fernandez (1,6,8): percussion; Eva George, Cynthia Brown (6), vocal. Special guests: Greg Tardy: soprano saxophone (1), tenor saxophone (4, 5, 8); Stefon Harris: vibes, marimba (2,3,6-8); John Clayton: bass (2,3,6,7).

Big Band Shout

Tracks: Loosen Your Grip; Easy To Love; Nice Toys; Tickle Toe; The Man With A Horn; All Of Me; Tenderly; It Had To Be You; Mr. Anthony's Boogie; Can You Hear These Dirty Horns; He's Got The Whole World; Ain't Misbehavin'; Let The Good Times Roll; Amazing Grace; One O'Clock Jump.

Personnel: Thilo Wolf: leader, piano; Felice Civitareale, Lennart Axelsson, Claus Reichstaller, Franz Weyerer: trumpet; Norbert Nagel, Thomas Faist: alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; Axel Kühn, Werner Tauber: tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Otto Staniloi: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Thomas Zoller: baritone saxophone; Jürgen Neudert, Erwin Gregg, Gerhard Fink, Hans-Heiner Bettinger, Eberhard Budziat: trombone; Andreas Blüm, Dirk Schweppe: guitar; Christian Diener, Peter Cischeck: bass; Wolfgang Haffner: drums; Yogo Pausch: percussion. Special guests: Ray Anthony: trumpet (5-9); Joan Faulkner & The Expressions: vocals (11-14).

All In

Tracks: Caribbean Fire Dance; (No Longer) In The Mood; Peace; Ping Pong; Naima; Room 608; Turn Out The Stars; Here Comes The Sun.

Personnel: Mike Holober: artistic director, conductor; Craig Johnson, Tony Kadleck, Jim Rotondi, Marvin Stamm: trumpet, flugelhorn; Jay Brandford, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; David Brandom, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet; Mike Migliore, Jason Rigby: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Ed Xiques: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Larry Dean Farrell, Keith O'Quinn: trombone; George Flynn: bass trombone; Ted Rosenthal: piano; Harvie S: bass; Tony Jefferson: drums; Rogerio Boccato (1): percussion.

Prairie Fire

Tracks: Reflections; Vasquez; Just Squeeze Me; For Sonny; Daze; Fall-In; It's All Right With Me; Everyday Living; Gratitude (for Jennifer); Your Absence Is Needed (for Calder); All Of You.

Personnel: Dean McNeill: composer, arranger, leader, trumpet; Mike Herriott, Bill Mahar, Brian O'Kane, John McLeod: trumpet; Campbell Ryga, Mark Dejong: alto saxophone; Kelly Jefferson, Greg Gatien: tenor saxophone; Keith Kurshell: baritone saxophone; Rob Somerville, Hugh Fraser, Barb Hamilton: trombone; Dawn McLean Belyk: bass trombone; Mike Rud: guitar; Tom Van Setters: piano; Mike Downes: bass; Ted Warren: drums.

One Kettle For Count

Tracks: One Kettle For Count; Pick Up The Pieces; A Little Help From My Friends; Someone To Watch Over Me; That Did It Marie; C-Jam Blues; American Bandstand Boogie; Happy Together; I'll Never Smile Again; Flyin' Home; Moten Swing; Love For Sale; Baby It's Cold Outside; Breathless.

Personnel: Gary Tole: leader, trombone; Gary Halopoff, Tom Marino, Bob O'Donnell: trumpet; Don Shelton, Charlie Richard: alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; Glenn Morrissettte, Dave Hill: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Roger Neumann: baritone saxophone; Scott Whitfield, Jim Boltinghouse: trombone; Bryant Byers: bass trombone; Bob Remstein: piano; Mike Higgins: guitar; Jennifer Leitham: bass; Bob Marino: drums; Cassie Miller, Mike Costley: vocals.

The Point

Tracks: It's About Time; Sambalea; Here's To Life; Balloon Animals; Creating Awkward Moments; Shaker Pants; Please Send Me Someone To Love; The Point; Just A Shade Under A Decade; Third Rail; Blues For Art's Sake.

Personnel: Arthur White: director, saxophone (11); Jason Ashmore, Nathan Cole, Jared Brown, Lisa Rhodes: trumpet; Tracy Patterson: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Sadie Gaylord: alto saxophone; Zach Eldridge, Michelle Duke: tenor saxophone; Jonathan Rice: baritone saxophone, bassoon; Cory Martin: saxophone solos (9, 10); Aaron Hollon, Danielle Embry, Blake Peters: trombone; Trevor Moore: bass trombone; Bradley Spears: guitar; Tatsuo Kohjima: piano; Justin Fulfer: bass; Dixie Weathers: drums, marimba (4). Special guests: Henry Johnson: guitar (1,2,6-11), vocals (3,7); Shane Ohlson: piano (11); Mike Schmidt: bass (11).

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