Tyler Mire Big Band: #Office for the Day

Social Media has spewed forth a cornucopia of emoticons, symbols, and catchphrases that have Twittered their way into Webster's. The title of trumpeter/composer/arranger Tyler Mire's (pronounced "Meer") latest effort -"#Office for the Day" -is one example of a phrase that's particularly loved by musicians. However, there's nothing common or over-washed out about this latest fine effort from Mire and Team.

Before his hitching up and joining the U.S. Navy's elite "Commodores," Mire pulled together a group of Nashville's finest cats to deliver a last civilian album of pure listening enjoyment. It's a superior send-off album on many levels. The playing here is tight, swinging and as satisfying as a Grand Ol' Bopry. Mire's arrangements—he's among the best young ones out there today—are filled with taste, subtlety and enough complexity -and even sly humor—to challenge this or any team. He surrounds himself with heavyweights and spurs them on in every musical regard.

Touching all of the groove bases, Mire's crew opens with a Habanera-hot opener, "Spice of Life" that immediately demos the band's hefty biceps. "The Arch" is darker-textured a la Pat Metheny in which Mire's crew and his arranging chops shine. "Elephant in Room" gives us trombone pachyderms stampeding wildly over a "Cherokee" trail. The title cut is a "Rhythm" variant that drives up-tempo mercilessly. "The Lonely Crouton's Big Day in NYC" is classically Count Basie-Sammy Nestico—like, featuring a tasty sax section soli, "verdant" strumming and All-Aces ensemble work. "Magma Sanctum" is a feverish jungle of time and texture featuring pianist, Matt Endahl. "Blues in Green" is a dramatic, noir-ish showcase for the eponymous trombonist, Barry. "Domo Meets the Brunch King" offers a "tenor tussle" between Evan Cobb and Doug Moffet in a frantic chaser/closer.

The ensemble playing on all eight cuts is in-the-pocket, swinging in a classic style. Lead trumpet Steve Patrick, drummer Joshua Hunt and the rhythm section are hand-glove throughout. The ensemble—which amazingly, covered all eight charts in one session—had a ball at their office that day, for sure. They are a swinging, tight-knit bunch that sent Mire off with a bon voyage bang. A generous leader and slick orchestrator vis a vis assigning solos, Mire's team offers ace soloists throughout. No phone-ins here. All are cookers.

While this effort is not as edgy as some of his earlier material—"Into the Atmosph-mire" and "Movin' Day," for example, Mire easily demos once again that he's an experience to be had—one with intellect, vast talents and, as such, one with whom to be reckoned. All things considered, "#Office for the Day" is certainly worthy of a fistful of those Navy blue thumbs up thingies -whatever they're called.