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Jim Levendis: The Big Band Project
ByPierro basically took it from there, gathering and editing Levendis' charts, assembling a seventeen-piece big band to play them, and scheduling rehearsal and recording dates in January 2022, in spite of the Covid pandemic. Levendis was able to attend those sessions and to take part from his home in the mixing and editing process. Levendis passed away on March 20; the Jim Levendis Big Band Project was released on June 30.
As an arranger, Levendis was old-school, producing straight-ahead charts whose lively tempos and unforeseen curves helped keep them fresh and enticing. As he was not a composer, every number on the album is an evergreen from the Great American Songbook, save for a medley of Latin themes by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Lionel Hampton, and one hymn (Franz Gruber's timeless "Silent Night," a brief showpiece for trombones that closes the album). The ensemble is letter-perfect, as are the soloists, and to make absolutely sure of that, Pierro recruited Larry McKenna, one of the finest tenor saxophonists Philly has produced, to solo on "Taking a Chance on Love," "Easy to Love" and "Everything I Love." McKenna must have "loved" adding his voice, which is as perceptive and engaging as ever.
A second tenor, Danny Muller, solos impressively on "Jeepers Creepers" and "Just in Time," while flugelhornist Tony DeSantis is featured on Hoagy Carmichael/Mitchell Parish's sunlit "One Morning in May." Others soloing are trumpeter Matt Gallagher, alto saxophonist Ron Kerber, trombonist Brian Pastor and pianist Tom Lawton. Lawton carries the melody on Steve Allen's "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," one of Levendis' few missteps, as that robust and upbeat theme warrants a full-throated cadenza by brass and reeds.
Besides being a musician, Levendis was an avid bowler who logged twenty-three perfect 300 games. Although the Big Band Project lands a mark or two short of that, it is in the pocket far more often than not, and Levendis' desire to endow for others a splendid album of his big-band arrangements has been realized.
Track Listing
This Could Be the Start of Something Big; Taking a Chance on Love; The Nearness of You; Jeepers Creepers; Stardust; Easy to Love; One Morning in May; Everything I Love; Latin Medley (O Morro Nao Tern Vez/Midnight Sun/Corcovado); Just in Time; Silent Night.
Personnel
Jim Levendis
arrangerMatt Gallagher
trumpetDave DiValentino
trumpetDaniel Wright
trumpetTony DeSantis
trumpetRon Kerber
saxophone, tenorAnthony Nigro
saxophone, altoSkip Spratt
saxophone, tenorDanny Muller
saxophone, tenorMark Allen
saxophone, baritoneFred Scott
tromboneBrian Pastor
tromboneChris Mele
tromboneDave Clanci
trombone, bassTom Lawton
pianoMadison Rast
bassLew Leabman
drumsJoe Nero
percussionLarry McKenna
saxophone, tenorAlbum information
Title: The Big Band Project | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced
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