Osmond Chapman Orchestra: There's More Where That Came From

This slick and swinging pop recording is going to be a big hit with middle-of-the-road ears. As to the inevitable question, "But is this jazz?" you can only shrug—a personal reaction—and give the usual "what is jazz" answer. Whatever it plays, the Osmond Chapman Orchestra is tight and punchy, featuring excellent ensemble work, some very good soloists and energetic singing by David Osmond. This is a kind of stage show production orchestra, and if that is your bag, you will find a lot to like. It is also a debut album that suggests plenty of creative potential.

Caleb Chapman is a saxophonist and music educator, the founding Director of Caleb Chapman's Soundhouse. Based in Utah, the Soundhouse is a training program for aspiring musicians. Some of his alumni show up in this band, and their playing is a good recommendation for Chapman's extensive program. There are some prominent established names too, Rashawn Ross, Karl Hunter, and Jeff Coffin who acquit themselves very well as soloists playing a mix of the Great American Songbook and several originals. The selections are eclectic, ranging from Stevie Wonder to Ray Charles and even Frank Sinatra. Choosing material like this is, of course, a double-edged sword. One the one hand, the audience does not have to adjust to anything too new, making the project less risky. On the other, some will inevitably think of the originals. Inviting comparison to Sinatra and Count Basie is nothing, if not risky, so it is fair to ask, on balance, how does the "something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new" approach turn out?

On the whole, pretty well. What the band (or arrangements) lack in subtlety they make up for in sheer groove. This outfit kicks. And musicians this good can only get better. David Osmond is an accessible singer. To be sure, he is not going to make anyone forget Ray Charles much less Sinatra, but he works well with the instrumentalists. He is a little more at home on ballads like "Over The Rainbow" where he blends with a very pretty solo by Rashawn Ross , or even on "When I Was Your Man," where Osmond manages to be earnest without sounding sentimental. Lest you think he can not turn it up a notch, "I Need A Real Good Thing" will set you straight, and the band always seems ready to shout. Truth be told, Caleb Chapman may want to dial them back a bit once in a while.

You're going to hear good things about this outfit as it moves from Utah to a national stage. You can be sure that there is likely more where that came from.