Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music

Trombonist Ben Patterson's high-powered Jazz Orchestra from the Washington, D.C. area returns virtually intact from 2024's well-received Groove Junkies (Origin Records) with another bold and hard-hitting session that is all but guaranteed to please anyone whose musical antenna leans toward fresh and exciting big-band jazz. Its title, Mad Scientist Music, coined by Harry Schnipper, owner of the D.C. jazz club Blues Alley, is one that was readily adopted by Patterson, who agreed that his office is akin to a mad scientist's laboratory where he "creates things that will eventually have a life of their own," much like the more well-known albeit notorious Dr. Victor Frankenstein.

The first of Patterson's creations is the flag-waving "We're Back Baby!," chock-full of the sort of rip-roaring ensemble work and brass-heavy explosions that would have made Stan Kenton or Buddy Rich smile. Guitarist Shawn Purcell and trumpeter Luke Brandon share solo space on "We're Back," as do pianist Chris Ziemba, alto saxophonist Mike Cemprola, percussionist Fran Vielma and drummer Todd Harrison on the similarly assertive "Misinformation Age" (wherein Emily Davies adds a trim, wordless vocal). Unlike Junkies, whose every number was lively and upbeat, Mad Scientist includes two ballads—both written for Patterson's wife, Anne Marie—the first of which is the melodic "Always," featuring baritone saxophonist Doug Morgan and the orchestra's superb brass section.

Patterson's fondness for a funky groove is most evident on the brisk and flexible "Mixup," whose eloquent ad- libbers are trombonist Kevin Cerovich, trumpeters Brandon and Alec Aldred and tenors Tedd Baker and Xavier Perez. Patterson delivers the first of two impressive solos on the second ballad, "Anne Marie," deftly using his horn to impart love and admiration. That leads to the bright and persuasive closer, "Just 'Cuz," on which Patterson solos again with Aldred, Cemprola and Harrison.

Patterson, an alumnus of the Air Force's flagship jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, ensured the orchestra's primacy by recruiting no less than seven of AON's on-duty personnel along with several alumni to serve as its nucleus. Having done that, Patterson could rest assured that his unique "creations" were in the best of hands, a premise that is borne out time and again on Mad Scientist Music, a big-band tour de force from start to finish.