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262

Article: Big Band Caravan

John MacLeod & His Rex Hotel Orchestra / Tim Davies Big Band / New England Jazz Ensemble

by Jack Bowers
September 3, 2011

John MacLeod & His Rex Hotel OrchestraOur First SetSelf Published2010 Those who mourn the passing of the great trombonists Rob McConnell and Dave McMurdo and, with them, two of the most renowned big bands Canada has ever produced, should take substantial comfort from this superlative debut recording ...

238

Article: Big Band Report

Jack's Gone! No He Isn't; Yes He Is; No He Isn't...!

by Jack Bowers
July 8, 2011

As I sat down to write this month's column, word came that trumpeter Jack Sheldon had died. No sooner had I written a few words about that when word came that trumpeter Jack Sheldon had not died. After some back-and-forth on the internet (is he or isn't he?), the last report, it seems, was the true ...

125

Article: Big Band Caravan

H2 Big Band / Tempest Little Big Band / Deutsch Oper Berlin Big Band

by Jack Bowers
July 7, 2011

The H2 Big BandYou're It!Jazzed Media2010 Big-band album of the year? There have been a number of worthy aspirants in the first half of 2011, and now comes another strong contender: the Denver-based H2 Big Band, whose debut recording, You're It!, is a paragon of straight-ahead blowing pleasure ...

200

Article: Big Band Report

Gold Medalists Abound at Big Band Olympics

by Jack Bowers
June 15, 2011

As this is being written, Betty and I are just back from a ten-day visit to California, the first six days of which would be of absolutely no interest to readers of this column. The last four, however, were spent at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel attending the L.A. Jazz Institute's “Big Band Olympics," which ...

190

Article: Big Band Report

Are You Sure, Bobby?

by Jack Bowers
April 5, 2011

In late March, I received an e-mail from trumpeter Bobby Shew. He said he'd performed a gig in West Palm Beach, FL, and had met my brothers, whom he described as “nice guys." My first impulse was to write back and ask if he could have been mistaken. My brothers? Nice guys? Well, the fact is ...

News: Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Rob McConnell

February 14, 2011

All About Jazz is celebrating Rob McConnell's birthday today! Rob McConnellRobert Murray Gordon (Rob) McConnell is a Canadian jazz valve trombonist, composer, arranger, music educator and recording artist. Rob McConnell took up the valve trombone in high school, and began his performing career in the early 1950s... more Website ...

285

Article: Big Band Report

Let's Give Thanks for the DVD

by Jack Bowers
February 4, 2011

As there isn't much to report--well, nothing, actually--about big bands this month, I'll use the space to say a few words in praise of the DVD. Yes, I know there aren't a whole lot of jazz DVDs on the market, especially big band videos, but there are a few, and I'm grateful for every one of ...

186

Article: Album Review

Paul Desmond: Pure Desmond

Read "Pure Desmond" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
February 2, 2011

With a dry tone, and unhurried phrasing definitive of the emergent West Coast Cool--a relaxed alternative to the edgier hard bop coming from New York--alto saxophonist Paul Desmond had already made a name for himself with pianist Dave Brubeck's quartet on the legendary Time Out (Columbia, 1959). Desmond also wrote the tune that became Brubeck's signature, ...

134

Article: Multiple Reviews

CTI Masterworks: The Second Batch

by John Kelman
January 31, 2011

After a mighty kickoff near the end of 2010, CTI Masterworks is pushing ahead full-steam with another set of six remastered reissues, beautifully packaged in soft digipak editions. Its first batch of reissues included a tremendous, four-disc retrospective box set, CTI Records--The Cool Revolution, and an expanded, double-disc version of 1971's California Concert: The Hollywood Palladium, ...

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Article: Big Band Report

Moody's Mood Was Always Happy

by Jack Bowers
January 7, 2011

James Moody, whose noble spirit and radiant personality were as impressive as his exploits on saxophone and flute for more than six decades, died December 9, 2010 from pancreatic cancer at his home in San Diego. He was 85 years old. To anyone who was lucky enough to meet him, the Moody hug ...