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TJI Ellington Big Band: Things to Come
ByDoug Tidaback, who has directed the Ellington Big Band since its inception, is understandably proud of its achievements, which have raised it to the forefront among student ensembles. The band doesn't let him down here, slicing through Benny Carter's "Rompin' at the Reno," Count Basie / Eddie Durham's "Swingin' the Blues," Ellington's "Happy Go Lucky Local" and Dizzy Gillespie's chops-busting "Things to Come" with power and panache. One question that arises is, with a band that talented, why squander so much precious time on run-of-the-mill vocals? Robbie Lee, a competent pianist, is no better than passable as a singer on "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "New York, New York," trumpeter Gavin Tidaback even less so on "I'll Be Seeing You" (hang onto that trumpet, Gavin). To further muddy the waters, Lee and Tidaback "sing" (and scat) on Gillespie's "Oop Bop Shabam."
Clearly, the instrumental tracks (there are six) hold the stronger hand, starting with the buoyant "Reno" and proceeding through those already named, as well as Ellington's "Sunset and the Mockingbird." Max Goldschmid, the band's resident jack-of-all-trades, solos on alto sax and trumpet on "Reno," alto again on "Swingin' the Blues," clarinet on "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Sunset," alto on "Oop Bop Shabam" and "Local," tenor on Bubber Miley's "Everything in Its Right Place," trumpet, tenor and trombone on "Things to Come." Other soloists of note are pianists Lee and Grant Cherry, trumpeters Tidaback and Omar Lincoln, trombonist Sam Chess, tenor Alan Acosta, alto Sean Johnson and vibraphonist Ryland Mandish. The rhythm section is in good hands with bassists Jeff Sandberg or Zach Levine, guitarist Shane Hurtado and drummers Mandish or Tim Rachbach.
In sum, a persuasive enterprise by a first-rate ensemble that could have been even more engaging with more band, less vocals. Definitely worth checking out.
Track Listing
Rompin’ at the Reno; I’ve Got You Under My Skin; Swingin’ the Blues; I’ll Be Seeing You; Oop Bop Shabam; Sunset and the Mockingbird; New York, New York; Happy Go Lucky Local; Everything in Its Right Place; Things to Come.
Personnel
Doug Tidaback: director; Gavin Tidaback: trumpet, vocal (4); Omar Lincoln: trumpet; Dominic Muller: trumpet; Jacob Rose: trumpet; Graham Place: trumpet; Max Goldschmid: trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet; Valeria Ornales, Alan Acosta, Aubrey Martin, Sergio Tabanico, Julianne Colwell: saxophones; Sam Chess: trombone; Drew Sheets: trombone; Jacob LaBar: trombone; Furey Starrat: trombone; Johnathon Black: trombone; Robbie Lee: piano, vocals (2, 5, 7); Grant Cherry: piano; Shane Hurtado: guitar; Jeff Sandberg: bass; Zach Lavine: bass; Tim Rachbach: drums; Ryland Mandish: drums, vibes.
Album information
Title: Things to Come | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced
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