Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Central New York Jazz Orchestra (CNY): Then, Now & Again

Central New York Jazz Orchestra (CNY): Then, Now & Again

By Michael P. Gladstone
October 24, 2008
View read count

CNY is not an acronym for Crosby, Nash and Young; it is the musical abbreviation for the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, formed in the mid-1990s and led by musical director Bret Zvacek. The band performs for schools as well as the public in upstate New York. The album consists of a CD and a short DVD which documents the orchestra's performance at the historic Hotel Syracuse in November 2007. The cover art of this package shows a blazing sunrise featuring four stages of man's evolution ranging from ape to a sort of homo erectus saxophonus colossus. In the five performance selections (approximately 25 minutes) on the DVD, the music is given a visual personalization that adds to the enjoyment of the album.

Then, Now & Again is appropriately titled, as the ensemble performs enjoyable mainstream big band jazz music in the styles of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Woody Herman. Its performance of the originals "Status Quo" and the bluesy "Things Happen" seem right out of the Basie songbook. This big band sounds like it would fit in perfectly at New York's Village Vanguard as it does in its regional upstate venues.

In what might have been a gimmicky beginning, CNY opens with a version of composer Irving Szathmary's hit television theme song for Get Smart, which was perhaps timed with the release of the 2008 film version. However, its approach is quite serious, presenting both originals and a sparkling version of the Ron Carter/Miles Davis tune "Eighty One," in which there are impressive solos from trombonist Joe Columbo, trumpeter Jeff Stockham and the reed section. Gershwin's well-received "I Loves You Porgy" is played at a faster than usual tempo which spotlights Stockham's trumpet.

As for familiar material, Quincy Jones' "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set" is played nostalgically, with Joe Carolla featured on a Johnny Hodges-like alto. As an album closer, Pat Ballard's 1950s pop hit "Mr.Sandman" is given a similar treatment with a sweet solo from Pat Robson on trumpet. The CNY Jazz Orchestra leaves a lot of pleasant musical memories on this debut.

Track Listing

Get Smart; HipNotHop; Eighty One; I Loves You Porgy; All Things Considered; The Midnight Sun Will Never Set; Status Quo; Things Happen; Shimmer; Mr.Sandman.

Personnel

Central New York Jazz Orchestra

Bret Zvacik: Musical Director; Joe Carello, John Delia, John Rohde, John Jennneret, Frank Grosso: woodwinds; Pat Carney, Jeff Stockham, Rob Robson, Dave Blask: trumpet/flugelhorn; Bill Palange, Joe Columbo, Angelo Candela, Mark Anderson: trombones; Rick Montalbano,Sr.:keyboards; Pete Chwazik (CD), Darryl Pugh (DVD):string bass; Larry Luttinger: drums.

Album information

Title: Then, Now & Again | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Rebound
< Previous

Novas Bossas
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.