Jazz Articles

The Peter Leitch New Jazz Orchestra: New Life

by Jack Bowers
December 18, 2020

After what Canadian-born guitarist Peter Leitch has been through in the last eight years, it's little wonder he named the ensemble he now leads the New Life Jazz Orchestra. Diagnosed in 2012 with stage 4 lung cancer, Leitch faced the choice of throwing in the proverbial towel or undergoing career-ending cancer treatment. He chose the latter, reluctantly setting aside his instrument of choice and continuing his musical career as a composer, arranger and conductor of an orchestra whose library consists ...

The Ron Stout Quintet: For Chet and Other Heroes

by Jack Bowers
March 21, 2005

To those who follow big bands, especially on the West Coast, trumpeter Ron Stout is well-known as a stellar sideman in ensembles led by Bill Holman, Bob Florence, Buddy Childers, Jack Sheldon, Frank Capp and many others. After years of paying dues, Stout has finally recorded an album as leader of his own quintet, and it's a tasteful showcase for his singular but largely unsung prowess.

Chet, of course, is the renowned Chet Baker, and Stout's “other heroes include Miles ...

Kolner Saxophon Mafia: Spaceplayer

by Dan McClenaghan
March 4, 2005

One half of the Kolner Saxophone Mafia--Roger Hanschel and Steffen Schorn--grabbed my attention last year with the unique sound of Triosphere, where the two multiple reedmen teamed with guitarist Dirk Mudelein. Its invigorating mix of sounds made the disc one of the most interesting discoveries of '04. On Spaceplayer, Schorn and Hanschel join Wollie Kaiser and Joachim Ullrich in a woodwind quartet, the Kolner Saxophon Mafia, an expansion of the traditional saxophone quartet that features a full array of reed ...

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra: 47 Frith Street

by Jack Bowers
May 1, 1998

Although the competition is getting ever keener, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra remains No. 1 among Great Britain's big bands, as affirmed in the country's most recent poll and reinforced by their latest recording, another remarkable tour de force whose wonderful compositions and arrangements are given typically excellent readings by an orchestra that shows no weaknesses and takes no prisoners. As has become customary for NYJO in recent years, the recording was made before an audience at Ronnie Scott's Club ...