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Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music
ByThe 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 balladsboth written for Patterson's wife, Anne Mariethe 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
Track Listing
We're Back, Baby!; The Misinformation Age; Always; The Mixup; Anne Marie; Just 'Cuz.
Personnel
Ben Patterson
tromboneAntonio Orta
saxophone, altoMike Cemprola
saxophone, altoTedd Baker
saxophone, tenorXavier Perez
saxophone, tenorDoug Morgan
saxophone, baritoneBrian MacDonald
trumpetKevin Burns
trumpetLuke Brandon
trumpetAlec Aldred
trumpetKevin Cerovich
tromboneDave Perkel
tromboneBen Polk
trombone, bassShawn Purcell
guitarChris Ziemba
pianoPaul Henry
bassTodd Harrison
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Emily Davies: vocals; Fran Vielma: percussion; Bill Mulligan: flute & clarinet.
Album information
Title: Mad Scientist Music | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Origin Records
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