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The Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Thought Trains

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The Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Thought Trains
One assumes instinctively that a big–band album named Thought Trains isn’t likely to include such time–worn staples as “Moten Swing” or “One O’Clock Jump.” That’s definitely true of this one, even though it does receive a “jump start” from Mike Holober’s rhythmically vibrant composition, “Jump Down, Spin Around.” All of the compositions / arrangements are Holober’s, and while they may not awaken memories of the Swing Era they surely do swing, which is among the most meaningful components in any big–band session. One’s “train of thought,” however, must remain squarely on track, as Holober’s adventurous odysseys command the listener’s undivided attention. A seasoned ensemble is needed to play them well, and Holober certainly has that, as one would expect of a big band from “Gotham” (home of Batman, Robin and, until recently, presided over by “America’s mayor,” Rudy Giuliani). No one drops a stitch, least of all the turbocharged rhythm section (Holober, piano; dependable Ron Carter, bass; masterful John Riley, drums). Seven of the tunes are medium to up, and there’s one ballad, “Heart of the Matter,” featuring tenor saxophonists Tim Ries and Charles Pillow. The ensemble shows its mettle from the get–go, easily nailing the impulsive stop–and–go accents of “Jump Down” whose burning solos are by Ries (on soprano), trombonist Pat Hallaran, alto Jon Gordon and trumpeter Scott Wendholt. “Big Sky,” a funky–Latin crossbreed, is a splendid vehicle for Pillow, Wendholt, guitarist Dave Gilmore and drummer Riley. Holober and bassist Carter share the leading role on the well–named “Waltz Medium,” Holober and Ries (tenor) on the scampering “Thought Trains.” Riley’s tasteful brushes, superlative throughout, establish the tenor on Wendholt’s powerful feature, “Form x Mood,” after which Pillow, alto Dave Pietro and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli pick up the pace on the swift and saucy “Let’s Get Nice.” The lone ballad is sensibly positioned between “Nice” and the bustling finale, “I Can See My Desk from Here” (whose earnest solos are by Hallaran and baritone Steve Kenyon). While personnel and song listings on the tray card and single–page booklet are cloaked by an ill–conceived graphic design that makes them all but unreadable, that’s a small enough price to play for almost seventy minutes of impressive contemporary big–band Jazz.

Contact: Connect the Dots Music, 319 South Broadway, South Nyack, NY 10960. Phone / fax 845–353–9488; e–mail [email protected]

Track Listing

Jump Down Spin Around, Big Sky, Waltz Medium, Thought Trains, Form x Mood, Let's Get Nice, Heart of the Matter, I Can See My Desk From Here

Personnel

Dave Pietro
saxophone, alto
Jon Gordon
saxophone, alto
Tim Ries
saxophone
Charles Pillow
saxophone
Steve Kenyon
saxophone
Tony Kadleck
trumpet
Bruce Eidem
trombone
Nathan Durham
trombone
Leise Anshuetz
french horn
Pat Hallaran
trombone
The Gotham Jazz Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestra

Mike Holober (piano, composer, arranger); Dave Pietro (alto and soprano saxophones, flute, piccolo), Jon Gordon (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Tim Ries (tenor/soprano saxophones, clarinet); Charles Pillow (tenor saxophone, oboe, flute, clarinet); Steve Kenyon (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet); Tony Kadleck (trumpet, flugelhorn); Scott Wendholt (trumpet, flugelhorn); Craig Johnson (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joe Magnarelli (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bruce Eidem (trombone); Pat Hallaran (trombone); Pete McGuinness (trombone); Nathan Durham (bass trombone); Eise Anshuetz (French horn); Dave Gilmore (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); John Riley (drums)

Album information

Title: Thought Trains | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Sons of Sound

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