Jazz Articles about Jack Cortner

Jack Cortner: Sound Check

by Robert J. Robbins
September 3, 2009

Back in 2007, veteran composer/arranger Jack Cortner (a longtime ghost for the late arranger and orchestrator Billy Byers) released Fast Track, his illustrious debut as a bandleader for the Jazzed Media label, with ex-Kenton and Herman trumpeter Marvin Stamm and his erstwhile sidekick, pianist Bill Mays, as the principal soloists. With Sound Check, Cortner, Stamm, and Mays return triumphantly with virtually the same ensemble drawn from the cream of New York session and Broadway pit musicians.

Stamm's nimble fluegelhorn and ...

Jack Cortner New York Big Band: Fast Track

by Edward Blanco
April 21, 2007

Trumpeter Jack Cortner has been an integral part of New York's vibrant music scene for over forty-five years, primarily as a composer and arranger writing for Broadway musical theatre, commercials and television. While you may not be familiar with his work in jazz, you have probably heard his music if you've ever seen the popular soaps The Edge of Night or As The World Turns or watched the familiar ABC-TV's Monday Night Football. Cortner has written the themes for all ...

Jack Cortner New York Big Band: Fast Track

by Jack Bowers
January 8, 2007

Even though Jack Cortner has been making a living as a musician in New York City for more than 45 years, Fast Track is the first-ever big band album with his name as leader. No, Cortner isn't a late bloomer. The composer, arranger and former trumpeter has simply been too busy with other pursuits, such as writing and arranging for the musical theatre, television and broadcast commercials (otherwise known as jingles). Along the way, Cortner wrote the themes for the ...