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Results for "Sea Breeze Jazz"
Doug MacDonald: Blue Capers
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist Doug MacDonald gets down to basics on his seventh album as leader, shepherding a seasoned quartet through its paces in an amiable session that swings gently but firmly from start to finish. MacDonald’s mellow sound is underscored by an unblemished technique that he never uses to overwhelm the listener, seldom submitting an unnecessary note and ...
The Vic Lewis West Coast All-Stars: With Love to Gerry
by Jack Bowers
If by “All--Stars" Vic Lewis means a world--class rhythm section backing three superb front--liners, then he's squarely on the mark, as With Love to Gerry (Mulligan, of course) embodies exactly that. There are two exceptions, the opening “Noblesse," performed by an a cappella “trombone choir" (actually, Andy Martin overdubbed), and the luminous “Ballade," handsomely shaped by ...
The John Fick Southern California Jazz Company Featuring Vocalist Michie Sahara: Open for Business: Jazz Jazz Jazz
by Dave Nathan
A rehearsal band out of Southern California organized by business man/trumpet player John Fick that big band label Sea Breeze has wisely decided to add to its catalogue. There aren't many recognizable names here. Fick played with both the Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James Orchestras, Jim Quam spent time with Pete Rugolo and trombonist Dave Woodley ...
Blue Wisp Big Band: 20th Anniversary
by Dave Nathan
Perhaps setting a record for longevity among contemporary big bands, the Cincinnati based0Blue Wisp Big Band celebrates its 29th anniversary with a release of exciting arrangements of tunes that, for the most part, are composed by well-known musicians. There are cuts by Steve Allen, Bill Evans, Bob Brookmeyer among others, wrapped in captivating arrangements by Matt ...
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble: Serenade in Blue
by Dave Nathan
The Sea Breeze label holds a preeminent position when it comes to recording the performances of contemporary big bands. One of the more fertile areas for this jazz genre is at those colleges and universities that have active jazz programs. Now comes the University of Cincinnati's Jazz Ensemble headed by its director, Rick VanMatre, with a ...
Vic Lewis & the West Coast All-Stars: With Love to Gerry
by Mike Neely
For a band to play Gerry Mulligan's music well all they need is a sophisticated horn section with an unerring sense of rhythm, a core of intelligent soloists with a wide range of stylistic knowledge, and a fluent rhythm section that can accompany with both vigor and taste. Vic Lewis and the West Coast All-Stars measure ...
Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge: Madcap
by Jack Bowers
Chuck Owen’s Florida–based Jazz Surge charts an adventurous course on its second album for Sea Breeze Records, and while it doesn’t always strike the target it does so often enough to keep one’s mind from wandering too far from the action. The Surge, some of whose members are students or faculty members at the University of ...
Chuck Owen and the Jazs Surge: Madcap
by Dave Nathan
Chuck Owen has gathered his Florida based Jazz Surge big band together for their first release in more than five years. What comes out is a progressive big band playing at its finest. Although the charts have a modern sound to them, they still are within the realm of mainstream jazz. This group is not George ...
Blue Wisp Big Band: 20th Anniversary
by Jim Santella
The program opens with a Matt Harris tune that resembles “All Blues." Big band arrangements by Harris, Al Kiger, Larry Dickson, and Steve Allee provide a format that allows plenty of room for swinging. This ensemble gets together every Wednesday night at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club: the band's weekly gig in Cincinnati. They released five ...
Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Got the Spirit
by Dave Nathan
With two CDs already under his belt, Dan McMillion continues to come up with interesting arrangements, outstanding ensemble playing and solo playing that is definitely first rate. Led by the Maynard Ferguson influenced, upper stratosphere and melodic trumpet of leader McMillion, the group whips through a play list of eleven classic pop tunes and jazz compositions. ...
