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The Len Pierro Jazz Orchestra: The Third Quarter
By"Fill in the Gap" is the first of eight sharp and engaging compositions by Pierro, which yield no ground to the durable standard "If I Should Lose You" or to well-traveled jazz touchstones by Fats Waller ("Jitterbug Waltz") and Kenny Barron ("Voyage"), which Pierro also arranged. In fact, impressive as those masterworks are, it is Pierro's strong and resourceful themes that repeatedly earn top honors. "As We Know It" and "No More, No Less" show he has mastered the art of the ballad, while "In Earnest," "The Third Quarter" and "Uncle Pep" embody licks and phrases that surely would have made Frank Foster, Marty Paich or Neal Hefti smile while gladdening the heart of ninety-six-year-old Sammy Nestico, who knows a special tune when he hears it.
Pierro also wrote the melodious mid-tempo "Time to Go" (a showpiece for pianist Tom Lawton) and well- grooved "Cottage 2" (ditto for flugel Joe Anderson). Speaking of soloists, Chris Farr shines on soprano ("As We Know It") and tenor saxophones ("Uncle Pep"), as do trumpeter Tony DeSantis ("In Earnest") and alto Matt Vashlishan ("No More, No Less"). Add to that admirable list Philly's legendary tenor Larry McKenna who dazzles with Farr on "If I Should Lose You" and with Lawton on "Voyage." Vashlishan and DeSantis share solo credits on "Fill in the Gap," Vashlishan, DeSantis, Farr and trombonist Rob Stoneback on "The Third Quarter," flugel George Rabbai and soprano Mike Cemprola on "Jitterbug Waltz." Many of the orchestra members hail from one of jazz's lesser-known hotbeds, Pennsylvania's Delaware Gap area (think Phil Woods), and each one is an accomplished soloist and industrious team player.
Few big-band albums in recent memory have been more pleasurable to hear and evaluate than The Third Quarter. With Pierro's irrepressible charts setting the course and his masterful orchestra giving them life, the session fairly bristles with energy and enthusiasm, amplified by the dexterity and magnetism of Pierro's creative power. Easily recommended.
Track Listing
Fill In The Gap; If I Should Lose You; As We Know It; In Earnest; Time To Go; The Third Quarter; Cottage 2; No More, No Less; Jitterbug Waltz; Uncle Pep; Voyage.
Personnel
Len Pierro
saxophoneJoe Vettori
saxophone, altoMatt Vashlishan
saxophone, altoLarry McKenna
saxophone, tenorChris Farr
saxophone, tenorMark Allen
saxophone, baritoneMike Cemprola
saxophone, altoSkip Spratt
saxophone, tenorRon Kerber
saxophone, tenorJonathan Shaw
trumpetJay Webb
trumpetGeorge Rabbai
trumpetTony DeSantis
trumpetDaniel Wright
trumpetJoe Anderson
multi-instrumentalistFred Scott
tromboneRob Stoneback
tromboneDan Tommasone
tromboneBob Suttman
tromboneDave Cianci
tromboneAdditional Instrumentation
Pat Mercuri: guitar; Kevin Hanson: guitar; Tom Lawton: piano; Madison Rast: bass; Lew Leabman: drums; Grant MacAvoy: drums
Album information
Title: The Third Quarter | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: WalkingPath Records
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