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238

Article: Album Review

The Leslie Drayton Orchestra: By Request

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

By Request encompasses more than a dozen songs recorded on at least four occasions some years ago by trumpeter Leslie Drayton’s orchestra; I can’t say how much of what is included was previously released, but unless you’re an ardent and well–informed connoisseur of the big–band scene, the chances are better than even that Drayton’s gregarious charts ...

107

Article: Album Review

UMO Jazz Orchestra: Celebrates Ellington

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

Ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jazz immortal Duke Ellington are being accompanied not only by reissues of Duke’s music but by new recordings from groups of all shapes and sizes around the world. Finland’s superb UMO Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Ellington with a charming performance of 14 of his memorable compositions whose earnestness ...

248

Article: Album Review

Larry Gillespie and the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra: Contour

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

Although Larry Gillespie shares his surname with another well–known trumpeter, his musical persona is modeled more closely after the quintessential West Coast snowman, Chet Baker. This extends, alas, to Gillespie’s fondness for singing, which he does — sort of — on “I Remember You” while scatting on “Contour” and the aptly named “Let’s Try.” The band’s ...

122

Article: Album Review

Stadtskapelle Wertingen / Papa Lips Big Band: Dynamik / Untitled

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

As near as I can determine from the German notes, the Allgäu–Schwäbischer Musikbund is a marching band associated with Stadtkapelle Wertingen, one of Germany’s many first–class music schools, while the Papa Lips Big Band is apparently its Jazz orchestra counterpart. On Dynamik, the larger ensemble performs a number of pieces for winds and marching band before ...

106

Article: Album Review

F: Intensive Act

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

Intensive Act, recorded in 1995–96, showcases the prominent Belgian drummer Félix Simtaine in a variety of settings from solo (“Leedy Babylass”) to trio, quartet, quintet and full–fledged orchestra (one of Belgium’s finest, the ACT Big Band). The quartet leads off with “All God’s Children,” “My Old Flame” and Bud Powell’s “Gettin’ There,” followed by the trio ...

329

Article: Album Review

Hemet High School Bands / Jazz Ensemble: Limited Edition / Among Friends

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

The second of these two discs, Among Friends, showcases the 1996 edition of director Jeff Tower’s award–winning Hemet High School Jazz Ensemble No. 1 (with a number of impressive guests soloists), while Limited Edition, recorded in 1996–97, encompasses five selections by the Jazz Ensemble, another by the school’s Jazz Combo and two each by the Symphonic ...

108

Article: Album Review

Sandvika Storband: Lining Up!

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

This is the second superlative recording we’ve heard in the last two months by Norway’s world–class Sandvika Storband (the other, Greenhouse—Live at Smuget, was reviewed in May). This time around, the band has some help (not that it needs any) from three acclaimed guest artists, two from the UK (trombonist/composer Mark Nightingale, vocalist Claire Martin), the ...

394

Article: Album Review

Lionel Hampton: Live at Carnegie Hall -- 50th Anniversary Concert

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

One of the most remarkable aspects of Live at Carnegie Hall, which celebrates the legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton’s 50th anniversary in music, is that the concert was held in 1978 — more than two decades ago — and Hamp, now 91, is still going strong! Yes, he has lost a step or two, and must be ...

180

Article: Album Review

BBC Big Band / RIAS Big Band: Live in Berlin

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

Here’s a dynamic big–band recording that makes those pervasive duo–piano sessions we so often hear pale by comparison. In February ’98, Britain’s BBC and Germany’s RIAS big bands combined forces for an electrifying series of concerts in Dresden, Liepzig and Berlin that left the sold–out houses clamoring for encores. Besides sharing the stage, the ensembles double ...

110

Article: Album Review

Monday Night Jazz Orchestra: Monument -- Our Favorite Songs

by Jack Bowers
June 1, 1999

Let’s face it, the U.S. patent on Jazz, big–band or otherwise, has run its course. Nowadays, ensembles from all over the world are not only the equal of ours, they are in some cases superior. I’ve recently heard a number of outstanding bands from Europe and at least three from far–away Japan including the enormously talented ...