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Brezz Zelenka and The Force: Dig This
by Jack Bowers
Brezz Zelenka calls himself “the world’s fastest drummer.” a claim that lends itself to no impartial form of measurement. On the other hand, if one were to calibrate Zelenka’s drumming on Dig This in terms of decibels, he’d be right up there with the most tumultuous of timekeepers. Not entirely his fault, as the emphasis (and ...
Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra: Playin' the Book!
by Jack Bowers
You have to admire Vaughn Wiester’s sense of humor. Nowadays, labeling one’s band the “Famous Jazz Orchestra” is about as amusing a turn of phrase as can be envisioned. You have to admire Wiester’s sidemen too—a group of gentlemen (and four ladies) who keep on Playin’ the Book for love, certainly not for money, at their ...
The Summit Jazz Orchestra & Clark Terry: Clark
by Jack Bowers
In April 2000 the not yet five year old Summit Jazz Orchestra, which makes its home in Regensburg, Germany, welcomed 79 year-old jazz legend Clark Terry for a twelve-day tour and recording session that music director/bass trombonist Christian Sommerer describes as “a lifetime experience for every single musician” in the SJO, whose members come from all ...
Phil Kelly & the NW Prevailing Winds: Convergence Zone
by Jack Bowers
A “convergence zone" is where winds from all over gather together to blow up a storm, which is an entirely appropriate metaphor for this tempestuous new album by composer/arranger Phil Kelly & the NW Prevailing Winds--except that Kelly not only has those formidable winds at his command but muscular brass and rhythm as well. ...
The Siena Jazz Band: Abstrutions
by Jack Bowers
Abstrutions is the second recording by Italy’s Siena Jazz Big Band, which was formed in 1994 as a part of the “Associazone Siena Jazz” school and now includes professional musicians as well as students and amateurs. The band’s earlier album, GOP, comprised of ten songs associated with Duke Ellington and seven with Cannonball Adderley, was given ...
The Cedar Avenue Big Band: Land of 10,000 Licks
by Jack Bowers
What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago (where has the time flown?) the Cedar Avenue Big Band recorded its first album, Lazy Orange. At the time, it was a rather unpolished ensemble whose weekly gigs at O’Gara’s nightclub in St. Paul, MN, evinced far more earnestness and energy than proficiency. Now comes Land of ...
The New England Jazz Ensemble: Wishes You a Cookin' Christmas
by Jack Bowers
So why, you may ask, is Bowers reviewing a Christmas album in February? That's a perceptive question, the answer to which is really quite simple: big band albums as impressive as this one by the superb New England Jazz Ensemble should be listened to and applauded not only during the holiday season but every day of ...
The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra: Two Seconds to Midnight
by Jack Bowers
When it comes to putting together a big band, Alan Baylock has an enormous advantage. As chief arranger for the U.S. Air Force’s renowned jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, he’s on a first-name basis with some of the most accomplished big band musicians in the country, if not the world. Nearly a dozen of the ...
The University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One: Transformation
by Jack Bowers
Another impressive album (the twelfth in about as many years) by the always well-schooled University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One, the first under new director Chris Merz who replaced long-time mentor Bob Washut last year. The disc marks that “transformation” while reassuring those who appreciate the ensemble’s work that the tradition of excellence established by ...
Gap Mangione: Stolen Moments
by Jack Bowers
There’s an expanse of jazz midway between smooth and straight-ahead, blending elements of both, and that’s roughly the territory that pianist Gap Mangione and his big band most often stake out on Stolen Moments. The playlist consists mainly of contemporary pop/rock themes, some of which lend themselves to big-band interpretations better than others. While Mangione’s ensemble ...
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